Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)]

Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)]2%

Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)] Author:
Translator: Tahir Ridha Jaffer
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
Category: Texts of Hadith

Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)]
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Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)]

Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech [A Translation of: Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim (English & Arabic)]

Author:
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
English

This book is corrected and edited by Al-Hassanain (p) Institue for Islamic Heritage and Thought


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Dealings

Dealings-المعاملة

1 . Do not make any dealings with one from whom you have no power to demand justice.

1 ـ لاتُعامِلْ مَنْ لا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى الاِنْتِصافِ مِنْهُ

Blindness And The Blind

Blindness and the blind-العِمى والأعمى

1 . The blindest of people is one who is blind to our love and our excellence, and one who has hatred for us without any wrongdoing on our part towards him, except that we invited him to the truth while others invited him to temptation and [the pleasures of] this world, so they preferred it and displayed hatred towards us.

1 ـ أشَدُّ النّاسِ عَمىً: مَنْ عَمِيَ عَنْ حُبِّنا وفَضْلِنا، وَناصَبَنا العَداوَةَ بِلا ذَنْب سَبَقَ مِنّا إلَيْهِ إلاّ أنّا دَعَوْناهُ إلَى الحَقِّ، ودَعاهُ سَوانا إلَى الفِتْنَةِ والدُّنيا، فَ آثَرُوها، ونَصَبُوا العَداوَةَ لَنا

2 . Sometimes the blind one arrives at his goal.

2 ـ رُبَّما أصابَ العَمِيُّ (الأعْمى) قَصْدَهُ

3 . One who is blind to that which is in front of him instils doubt within himself.

3 ـ مَنْ عَمِيَ عَمّا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ غَرَسَ الشَّكَّ بَيْنَ جَنْبَيْهِ

The Obstinate

The Obstinate-المُتَعَنِّتْ

1 . Pleasing the obstinate one is a goal that cannot be attained.

1 ـ رِضى المُتَعَنِّتِ غايَةٌ لاتُدْرَكُ

Descent And Lineage

Descent and lineage-العُنْصُر والمحتد والأعراق

1 . ne whose lineage is wicked, his presence [in any gathering] is bad.

1 ـ مَنْ خَبُثَ عُنْصُرُهُ ساءَ مَحْضَرُهُ

2 . One whose lineage is honourable, his presence is good.

2 ـ مَنْ كَرُمَ مَحْتِدُهُ حَسُنَ مَشْهَدُهُ

3 . Good manners are from the [signs of] honourable descent.

3 ـ مِنْ شَرَفِ الأعْراقِ كَرَمُ الأخْلاقِ

Violence

Violence-العُنف

1 . The height of folly is violence.

1 ـ رَأسُ السُّخْفِ العُنْفُ

2 . Whoever acts violently, his goal becomes difficult [to achieve].

2 ـ راكِبُ العُنْفِ يَتَعَذَّرُ مَطْلَبُهُ

3 . One who acts violently, regrets.

3 ـ مَنْ رَكِبَ العُنْفَ نَدِمَ

4 . One who perpetrates violence, regrets.

4 ـ مَنْ عامَلَ بِالعُنْفِ نَدِمَ

That Which Is Of No Concern

That which is of no concern-ما لا يعني

1 . Your getting involved in that which is of no concern to you is misguided ignorance.

1 ـ وُقُوعُكَ فيما لايَعنيكَ جَهْلٌ مُضِلٌّ

2 . Do not busy yourself with that which is of no concern to you, and do not take upon yourself more than what is enough for you, and exert all your efforts for that which will save you.

2 ـ لاتَشْتَغِلْ بِما لايَعْنيكَ، ولاتتَكَلَّفْ فَوْقَ ما يَكْفِيكَ، واجْعَلْ كُلَّ هَمِّكَ لِما يُنْجيكَ

3 . Leave aside that which does not concern you and busy yourself with the important work that will save you [in the Hereafter].

3 ـ دَعْ ما لايَعْنيكَ، واشْتَغِلْ بِمُهِمِّكَ الَّذي يُنْجيكَ

4 . Blessed is the one who reduces his effort in that which does not concern him and exerts all his efforts for that which will save him.

4 ـ طُوبى لِمَنْ قَصَّرَ هِمَّتَهُ عَلى ما يَعْنيهِ، وجَعَلَ كُلَّ جِدِّهِ لِما يُنْجيهِ

5 . One who discards that which is of concern to him falls into that which does not concern him.

5 ـ مَنِ اطَّرَعَ ما يَعْنيهِ وَقَعَ إلى ما لايَعْنيهِ

6 . One who prolongs his talk about that which he ought not to [speak of] has indeed made himself liable to dispraise.

6 ـ مَنْ أطالَ الحَديثَ فيما لايَنْبَغي فَقَدْ عَرَّضَ نَفْسَهُ لِلْمَلامَةِ

7 . The greatest inconvenience is troubling yourself with that which does not concern you.

7 ـ أكْبَرُ الكُلْفَةِ تَعَنّيكَ فيما لايَعْنيكَ

8 . One who occupies himself with that which does not concern him loses that which is important to him.

8 ـ مَنِ اشْتَغَلَ بِما لايَعْنيهِ فاتَهُ مايَعْنيهِ

9 . Whoever occupies himself with that which is unnecessary, it causes him to lose [what is more to] his benefit.

9 ـ مَنِ اشْتَغَلَ بِغَيْرِ ضَرُورَتِهِ فَوَّتَهُ ذلِكَ مَنْفَعَتَهُ

The Crooked

The crooked-المُعوَّج

1 . At times the crooked may become straight.

1 ـ قَدْ يَسْتَقيمُ المُعَوَّجُ

Habit

Habit-العادة

1 . The best worship is overcoming [a bad] habit.

1 ـ أفْضَلُ العِبادَةِ غَلَبَةُ العادَةِ

2 . Habit is second nature.

2 ـ اَلعادَةُ طَبْعُ ثان

3 . Habit is an enslaving enemy.

3 ـ اَلعادَةُ عَدُوٌُّّ مُتَمَلِّكٌ

4 . The bane of training [of the self] is the overpowering habit.

4 ـ آفَةُ الرِّياضَةِ غَلَبَةُ العادَةِ

5 . Through overpowering [evil] habits, there is attainment of lofty stations.

5 ـ بِغَلَبَةِ العاداتِ الوُصُولُ إلى أشْرَفِ المَقاماتِ

6 . Superfluity [in speech] is one of the worst habits.1

6 ـ بِئْسَ العادَةُ الفُضُولُ

7 . Change your habits and acts of worship will become easier for you [to perform].

7 ـ غَيِّـروُا العاداتِ تَسْهُلْ عَلَيْكُمْ الطّاعاتُ

8 . One who submits to his [evil] habits does not attain lofty stations.

8 ـ غَيْرُ مُدْرِكِ الدَرَّجاتِ مَنْ أطاعَ العاداتِ

9 . Habit has authority over every human being.

9 ـ لِلْعادَةِ عَلى كُلِّ إنْسان سُلْطانٌ

10 . Whoever makes jesting his habit, his seriousness is not known.

10 ـ مَنْ جَعَلَ دَيْدَنَهُ الهَزْلَ لَمْ يُعْرَفْ جِدُّهُ

Notes

1. Or: Nosiness [and inquisitiveness about that which does not concern you] is one of the worst habits.

Resurrection And The Hour

Ressurection and the hour-المعاد والساعة

1 . Blessed is the one who remembers the [Day of] Resurrection and thus increases his provisions.

1 ـ طُوبى لِمَنْ ذَكَرَ المَعادَ فَاسْتَكْثَرَ مِنَ الزَّادِ

2 . Blessed is the one who remembers the Resurrection and thus does good [deeds].

2 ـ طُوبى لِمَنْ ذَكَرَ المَعادَ فَأحْسَنَ

3 . You must work hard and struggle to improve your Hereafter.

3 ـ عَلَيْكَ بِالجِدِّ والاِجْتِهادِ في إصْلاحِ المَعادِ

4 . The Hour [of reckoning] has shown its face and the sign [of its coming] is evident for the one who recognizes it.

4 ـ قَدْ أسْفَرَتِ السّاعَةُ عَنْ وَجْهِها، وظَهَرَتِ العَلامَةُ لِمُتَوَسِّمِها

5 . The Hour has drawn near with its quakes and it has settled down with its chest on the ground.

5 ـ قَدْ أشْـرَفَتِ السّاعَةُ بِزَلازِلِها وَأناخَتْ بِكَلاكِلِها

6 . They have risen from the resting place in their graves and gone towards the site of reckoning, and evidence has been brought against them.

6 ـ قَدْ شَخَصُوا عَنْ (مِنْ) مُسْتَقَّرِ الأجْداثِ، وصارُوا إلى مَقامِ الحِسابِ، وأُقيمَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الحُجَجُ

7 . One who improves his Hereafter attains success through the right [course].

7 ـ مَنْ أصْلَحَ المَعادَ ظَفِرَ بِالسَّدادِ

8 . One who is certain about the Hereafter increases his provisions [for it].

8 ـ مَنْ أيْقَنَ بِالمَعادِ اِسْتَكْثَرَ مِنَ الزّادِ

9 . The goodness of the Hereafter is [attained] through good deeds.

9 ـ صَلاحُ المَعادِ بِحُسْنِ العَمَلِ

10 . When the horrors of the Day of Reckoning will be witnessed, there will be many who will show extreme regret.

10 ـ عِنْدَ مُعايَنَةِ أهْوالِ القِيامَةِ تَكْثُرُ مِنَ المُفَرِّطينَ النَّدامَةُ

11 . Being occupied with improving your Hereafter will save you from the chastisement of hellfire.

11 ـ اِشْتِغالُكَ بِإصْلاحِ مَعادِكَ يُنْجيكَ مِنْ عَذابِ النّارِ

The Masses

The Masses-العوام

1 . Separating yourself from the masses is from the best magnanimity.

1 ـ مُبايَنَةُ العَوامِ مِنْ أفْضَلِ المُرُوَّةِ

Assistance

Assistance-الإعانة

1 . Assist and you will be assisted.

1 ـ أعِنْ تُعَنْ

2 . Assist your bother in gaining his guidance.

2 ـ أعِنْ أخاكَ عَلى هِدايَتِهِ

3 . Just as you assist [others], you are assisted.

3 ـ كَما تُعينُ تُعانُ

4 . Do not assist a strong person over a weak one.

4 ـ لاتُعِنْ قَوِيّاً عَلى ضَعيف

5 . One who assists [a disbeliever] against a Muslim has indeed exited from the fold of Islam.

5 ـ مَنْ أعانَ عَلى مُسْلِم فَقدْ بَرِئَ مِنَ الإسْلامِ

Seeking Assistance

Seeking assistance-الاِستِعانَة

1 . One who seeks assistance from the weak demonstrates his [own] weakness.

1 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعانَ بِالضَّعيفِ أبانَ عَنْ ضَعْفِهِ

2 . Whoever seeks assistance from one who is not independent has wasted his affair.

2 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعانَ بِغَيْرِ مُسْتَقِلّ ضَيَّعَ أمْرَهُ

3 . Whoever seeks the assistance of his enemy in order to fulfil his need, increases his distance from it [instead of getting it].

3 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعانَ بِعَدُوِّهِ عَلى حاجَتِهِ إزْدادَ بُعْداً مِنْهُ

4 . One who seeks assistance from Allah is assisted by Him.

4 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعانَ بِاللّهِ أعانَهُ

5 . Seek assistance from your Lord, and ask Him to grant you success and the abandonment of every shortcoming (or disgraceful act) that drives you into doubt or surrenders you to misguidance.

5 ـ عَلَيْكَ بِالاِسْتِعانَةِ بِإلهِكَ، والرَّغْبَةِ إلَيْهِ في تَوْفيقِكَ، وتَرْكِكَ كُلَّ شائِبَة (شائِنَة) أوْلَجَتْكَ في شُبْهَة، أوْ أسْلَمَتْكَ إلى ضَلالَة

6 . One who seeks assistance from the people of intellect traverses the path of right guidance.

6 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعانَ بِذَوِى الألْبابِ سَلَكَ سَبيلَ الرَّشادِ

Succor

Succor-المَعُونَة

1 . Succour descends from Allah to the extent of one’s requirement.

1 ـ اَلمَعُونَةُ تَنْزِلُ مِنَ اللّهِ عَلى قَدْرِ المَؤُنَةِ

2 . To the extent of the need, there is succour from Allah.

2 ـ عَلى قَدْرِ المَؤُنَةِ تَكُونُ مِنَ اللّهِ المَعُونَةُ

3 . Whoever turns his request to you [and seeks his need from you], assisting him becomes incumbent upon you.

3 ـ مَنْ وَجَّهَ رَغْبَتَهُ إلَيْكَ وَجَبَتْ مَعُونَتُهُ عَلَيْكَ

Keeping Promises And Fulfilling Pledges

Keeping promises and fulfilling pledges-العهد والوفاء به

1 . Being loyal to the treacherous is treachery in the sight of Allah, the Glorified.

1 ـ الوَفاءُ لأهْلِ الغَدْرِ غَدْرٌ عِنْدَ اللّهِ سُبْحانَهُ

2 . Loyalty is the twin of trustworthiness and the adornment of brotherhood.

2 ـ اَلْوَفاءُ تَوْأَمُ الأمانَةِ وزَيْنُ الأُخُوَّةِ

3 . Loyalty means preserving the rights [of others] and magnanimity means caring for one’s close relatives.

3 ـ اَلْوَفاءُ حِفْظُ الذِّمامِ، والمُرُوءَةُ تَعَهُّدُ ذَوِى الأرْحامِ

4 . Verily loyalty is the twin of truthfulness and I do not know of a shield that is more protective than it.

4 ـ إنَّ الوَفاءَ تَوْأَمُ الصِّدْقِ، وما أعْرِفُ جُنَّةً أوْقى مِنْهُ

5 . Loyalty is nobility.

5 ـ اَلوَفاءُ نُبْلٌ

6 . Loyalty is the twin of truthfulness.

6 ـ اَلوَفاءُ تَوْأَمُ الصِّدْقِ

7 . Loyalty is the trait of the honourable.

7 ـ اَلوَفاءُ سَجِيَّةُ الكِرامِ

8 . Loyalty is the symbol of abundant religiosity and strong trustworthiness.

8 ـ اَلوَفاءُ عُنْوانُ وُفُورِ الدّينِ، وقُوَّةِ الأمانَةِ

9 . If something happens between you and your enemy, which leads you to a truce and the enacting of a peace treaty, then preserve your pact with loyalty and guard your pledge with trust, and make your soul a shield between you and that which you have pledged.

9 ـ إنْ وَقَعَتْ بَيْنَكَ وبَيْنَ عَدُوِّكَ قِصَّةٌ عَقَدْتَ بِها صُلْحاً وألبَسْتَهُ بِها ذِمَّةً، فَحُطْ عَهْدَكَ بِالوَفاءِ، وارْعَ ذِمَّتَكَ بِالأمانَةِ، واجْعَلْ نَفْسَكَ جُنَّةً بَيْنَكَ وبَيْنَ ما أعْطَيْتَ مِنْ عَهْدِكَ

10 . The bane of covenants is lack of care [in fulfilling them].

10 ـ آفَةُ العُهُودِ قِلَّةُ الرِّعايَةِ

11 . The bane of loyalty is treachery.

11 ـ آفَةُ الوَفاءِ الغَدْرُ

12 . When you make a promise, keep it.

12 ـ إذا وَعَدْتَ فَأنْجِزْ

13 . When you make an agreement, fulfil it.

13 ـ إذا عاقَدْتَ فَأتْمِمْ

14 . By their faithful loyalty, the virtuous ones are known.

14 ـ بِحُسْنِ الوَفاءِ يُعْرَفُ الأبـْرارُ

15 . The distinction of creatures is [by their] loyalty.

15 ـ حَسَبُ الخَلائِقِ الوَفاءُ

16 . Guard your promise with loyalty and your reward will be good.

16 ـ حُطْ عَهْدَكَ بِالوَفاءِ يَحْسُنْ لَكَ الجَزاءُ

17 . The abode of loyalty is never without the [presence of the] honourable, and is never occupied by the wicked.

17 ـ دارُ الوَفاءِ لاتَخْلُو مِنْ كَريم، ولايَسْتَقِرُّ بِها لَئيمٌ

18 . The cause of intimacy is loyalty.

18 ـ سَبَبُ الإيتِلافِ الوَفاءُ

19 . Keeping promises is the practice of the honourable ones.

19 ـ سُنَّةُ الكِرامِ الوَفاءُ بِالعُهُودِ

20 . You must espouse loyalty, for it is the most protective shield.

20 ـ عَلَيْكَ بِالوَفاءِ فَإنَّهُ أوْقى(أوفى) جُنَّة

21 . Loyalty is the ornament of the intellect and the symbol of nobility.

21 ـ اَلوَفاءُ حِلْيَةُ العَقْلِ، وعُنْوانُ النُّبْلِ

22 . The most honourable characteristic is loyalty.

22 ـ أشْرَفُ الخَلائِقِ الوَفاءُ

23 . Loyalty is honour, friendship is compassion.

23 ـ اَلوَفاءُ كَرَمٌ، اَلمَوَدَّةُ رَحِمٌ

24 . Loyalty is a symbol of purity.

24 ـ اَلوَفاءُ عُنْوانُ الصَّفاءِ

25 . Loyalty is the fortress of eminence.

25 ـ اَلْوَفاءُ حِصْنُ السُّؤْدَدِ

26 . A promise is an ailment and its cure is its fulfilment.

26 ـ اَلوَعْدُ مَرَضٌ، والبُرْءُ إنْجازُهُ

27 . I have never slept with a promise I made to someone that had remained unfulfilled, thereby causing him to toss and turn restlessly in his bed so that he could successfully get what he needs [from me in the morning] but that my restlessness on my bed was much greater as a result of my desperation to meet him and fulfil the debt of his promise and out of fear of a hindrance that could cause its reneging, for indeed reneging on a promise is not from the characteristics of the honourable.

27 ـ ما باتَ لِرَجُل عِنْدي مَوْعِدٌ قَطُّ، فَباتَ يَتَمَلْمَلُ عَلى فِراشِهِ، لِيَغْدُوَ بِالظَّفَرِ بِحاجَتِهِ أشَدُّ مِنْ تَمَلْمُلي عَلى فِراشي، حِرْصاً عَلَى الخُرُوجِ إلَيْهِ مِنْ دَيْنِ عِدَتِهِ وخَوْفاً مِنْ عائِق يُوجِبُ الخُلْفَ، فَإنَّ خُلْفَ الوَعْدِ لَيْسَ مِنْ أخْلاقِ الكِرامِ

28 . The basis of a promise is its fulfilment.

28 ـ مِلاكُ الوَعْدِ إنْجازُهُ

29 . How good a characteristic loyalty is!

29 ـ نِعْمَ الخَليقَةُ الوَفاءُ

30 . How good a companion of truthfulness loyalty is, and how good an associate of God-wariness piety is!

30 ـ نِعْمَ قَرينُ الصِّدْقِ الوَفاءُ، ونِعْمَ رَفيقُ التَّقْوى اَلْوَرَعُ

31 . How good a companion of trustworthiness loyalty is!

31 ـ نِعْمَ قَرينُ الأمانَةِ الوَفاءُ

32 . The promise of an honourable person is immediate and swift.

32 ـ وَعْدُ الكَريمِ نَقْدٌ وتَعْجيلٌ

33 . The promise of a wicked person is delayed and full of excuses.

33 ـ وَعْدُ اللَّئيمِ تَسْويفٌ، وتَعْليلٌ

34 . Do not promise that which you are incapable of fulfilling.

34 ـ لاتَعِدْ بِما تَعْجِزُ عَنِ الوَفاءِ بِهِ

35 . Do not guarantee that which you are incapable of fulfilling.

35 ـ لاتَضْمَنْ مالاتَقْدِرُ عَلَى الوَفاءِ بِهِ

36 . Never make a promise that you are not confident you will be able to keep.

36 ـ لاتَعِدَنَّ عِدَةً لاتَثِقُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ بِإنْجازِها

37 . He who breaks his promises is not loyal in his covenants.

37 ـ غَيْرُ مُوف بِالعُهُودِ مَنْ أخْلَفَ الوُعُودَ

38 . Be a keeper of promises and a fulfiller of vows.

38 ـ كُنْ مُنَجِّزاً لِلْوَعْدِ مُوفِياً بِالنَّذْرِ

39 . One who fulfils his promise demonstrates his nobility.

39 ـ مَنْ وَفى بِعَهْدِهِ أعْرَبَ عَنْ كَرَمِهِ

40 . One who safeguards his covenant is considered loyal.

40 ـ مَنْ حَفِظَ عَهْدَهُ كانَ وَفِيّاً

41 . One who is unwaveringly loyal deserves to be chosen [as a friend].

41 ـ مَنْ أحْسَنَ الوَفاءَ اِسْتَحَقَّ الاِصْطِفاءَ

42 . The promise [that is made] is one of the two bondages.

42 ـ اَلوَعْدُ أحَدُ الرِّقَّيْنِ

43 . Fulfilling the promise [one makes] is one of the two emancipations.

43 ـ إنْجازُ الوَعْدِ أحَدُ العِتْقَيْنِ

44 . A polite refusal is better than a protracted promise.

44 ـ اَلمَنْعُ الجَمِيلُ أحْسَنُ مِنَ الوَعْدِ الطَّويلِ

45 . Fulfilling promises is from the signs of distinction.

45 ـ إنْجازُ الوَعْدِ مِنْ دَلائِلِ المَجْدِ

46 . Sincere friendship and fulfilling promises are from loyalty to [one’s] pledge.

46 ـ خُلُوصُ الوُدِّ والوَفاءِ بِالوَعْدِ مِنْ حُسْنِ العَهْدِ

47 . Be steadfast [and loyal] in fulfilling your pledges.

47 ـ اِعْتَصِمُوا بِالذِّمَمِ في أوْتادِها

48 . Never trust the promise of the one who has no religion.

48 ـ لاتَثِقَنَّ بِعَهْدِ مَنْ لادينَ لَهُ

49 . One who has no loyalty cannot keep a promise.

49 ـ لاعَهْدَ لِمَنْ لا وَفاءَ لَهُ

50 . The promise of one who has no intellect is not relied upon.

50 ـ لايُوثَقُ بِعَهْدِ مَنْ لاعَقْلَ لَهُ

51 . You will never abide by the covenant of the book until you know the one who has cast it away.

51 ـ لَنْ تَأْخُذُوا بِمِيثاقِ الكِتابِ حتّى تَعْرِفُوا الَّذي نَبَذَهُ

52 . Never let the hardship that you undergo in [fulfilling] the covenant of Allah lead you to break it, for indeed your patience during the hardship from which you seek relief and a favourable outcome are better for you than the excuse [and betrayal] whose evil consequences you fear and because of which you are encompassed by chastisement from Allah.

52 ـ لايَدْعُوَنَّكَ ضيقٌ لَزِمَكَ في عَهْدِ اللّهِ إلَى النَّكْثِ، فَإنَّ صَبْرَكَ عَلى ضيق تَرْجُو اِنْفِراجَهُ، وفَضْلَ عاقِبَتِهِ خَيْـرٌ لَكَ مِنْ عُذْر تَخافُ تَبِعَتَهُ، وتُحيطُ بِكَ مِنَ اللّهِ لأجْلِهِ العُقُوبَةُ

53 . The most honourable of endeavours is being careful of [fulfilling] one’s pledges (and the best trait is keeping ties with near relatives).

53 ـ أشْرَفُ الهِمَمِ، رِعايَةُ الذِّمامِ (الذِّمَمِ، وأفْضَلُ الشِّيَمِ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ ).

54 . Verily fulfilling promises is part of faith.

54 ـ إنَّ حُسْنَ العَهْدِ مِنَ الإيمانِ

55 . Indeed promises are [like] metal collars around the necks [of people] until the Day of Resurrection, so whoever fulfils them is delivered by Allah, and whoever breaks them is forsaken by Allah, and whoever takes them lightly, they will take their plea to the One who has enjoined them and has ordered His creation to fulfil them.

55 ـ إنَّ العُهُودَ قَلائِدُ فِي الأعْناقِ إلى يَوْمِ القِيامَةِ، فَمَنْ وَصَلَها وَصَلَهُ اللّهُ، ومَنْ نَقَضَها خَذَلَهُ اللّهُ، ومَنِ اسْتَخَّفَ بِها خاصَمَتْهُ إلَى الَّذي أكَّدَها وأخَذَ خَلْقَهُ بِحِفْظِها

56 . Do not renege on your covenant and do not break your pledge; and do not double-cross your enemy, for Allah has made his covenant and his pact a safety for him.

56 ـ لاتَعْذَرَنَّ بِعَهْدِكَ، وَلاتُخْفِرَنَّ ذِمَّتَكَ، ولاتَخْتِلْ عَدُوَّكَ، فَقَدْ جَعَلَ اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ عَهْدَهُ وذِمَّتَهُ أمْناً لَهُ

57 . One of the most honourable of traits is safeguarding [and fulfilling] your pledges.

57 ـ مِنْ أشْرَفِ الشِّيَمْ حِياطَةُ الذِّمَمِ

58 . One of the most honourable of traits is being faithful to your pledges.

58 ـ مِنْ أشْرَفِ الشِّيَمِ اَلوَفاءُ بِالذِّمَمِ

59 . He who does not observe his promises and agreements has no conviction in Allah.

59 ـ ما أيْقَنَ بِاللّهِ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْعَ عُهُودَهُ وذِمَّتَهُ

60 . One who enters upon the springs of loyalty is quenched by the drink of purity.

60 ـ مَنْ وَرَدَ مَناهِلَ الوَفاءِ رَوِيَ مِنْ مَشارِبِ الصَّفاءِ

61 . People are safe from the betrayal of one in whose heart resides loyalty.

61 ـ مَنْ سَكَنَ الوَفاءُ صَدْرَهُ أمِنَ النّاسُ غَدْرَهُ

62 . One of the signs of faith is fulfilling promises.

62 ـ مِنْ دَلائِلِ الإيمانِ الوَفاءُ بِالعَهْدِ

63 . Keeping promises is from the perfection of [one’s] magnanimity.

63 ـ مِنْ تَمامِ المُرُوَّةِ إنْجازُ الوَعْدِ

64 . From the best [teachings] of Islam is the fulfilling of pledges.

64 ـ مِنْ أفْضَلِ الإسْلامِ اَلوَفاءُ بِالذِمامِ

65 . How good is loyalty and how evil is treachery!

65 ـ ما أحْسَنَ الوَفاءَ وأقْبَحَ الجَفاءَ

66 . He who delays in fulfilling a promise has not kept it.

66 ـ ما أنْجَزَ الوَعْدَ مَنْ مَطَلَ بِهِ

67 . Fulfilling [one’s] pledges is the adornment of honour.

67 ـ وَفاءٌ بِالذِّمَمِ (وَفاءُ الذِّمَمِ)زينَةُ الْكَرَمِ

68 . One who breaks his pledge earns dispraise.

68 ـ مَنْ أخْفَرَ ذِمَّةً اِكْتَسَبَ مَذَمَّةً

69 . For every pledge that is broken there is uncertainty.

69 ـ لِكُلِّ ناكِث شُبْهَةٌ

Anxiety

Anxiety الجزع

1 . Anxiety during hardship completes [and enhances] the calamity.

1 ـ اَلجَزَعُ عِنْدَ البَلاءِ مِنْ تَمامِ المِحْنَةِ

2 . Anxiety during adversity is severer than the adversity itself.

2 ـ اَلجَزَعُ عِنْدَ المُصيبَةِ أشَدُّ مِنَ المُصيبَةِ

3 . The adversity is one, but if you become anxious it becomes twofold.

3 ـ اَلمُصيبَةُ واحِدَةٌ، وإنْ جَزَعَتْ صارَتْ اِثْنَـتَيْنِ

4 . Adversity [endured] with patience is the better of the two adversities.

4 ـ اَلمُصيبَةُ بِالصَّبْرِ أعْظَمُ المُصيبَتَيْنِ

5 . Anxiety does not ward off destiny, rather it blocks recompense.

5 ـ اَلجَزَعُ لايَدْفَعُ القَدَرَ ولكِنْ يُحـْبِطُ الأجْرَ

6 . Anxiety during adversity increases it whereas patience ends it.

6 ـ اَلجَزَعُ عِنْدَ المُصيبَةِ يَزيدُها، والصَّبْرُ عَلَيْها يُبيدُها

7 . Overcome anxiety with patience, for anxiety voids recompense and magnifies the calamity.

7 ـ إغْلِبُوا الجَزَعَ بِالصَّبْرِ، فإنَّ الجَزَعَ يَحبِطُ الأجرَ، ويُعَظِّمُ الفَجيعَةَ

8 . Anxiety is [a cause of] destruction.

8 ـ اَلجَزَعُ هَلاكٌ

9 . Anxiety is one of the assistants of the [difficult] time.

9 ـ اَلجَزَعُ مِنْ أعوانِ الزَّمانِ

10 . Anxiety magnifies the calamity.

10 ـ اَلجَزَعُ يُعَظِّمُ المِحْنَةَ

11 . Anxiety is more exhausting than patience.

11 ـ اَلجَزَعُ أتْعَبُ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ

12 . If you are [one who gets] anxious about all that has escaped from your hands, then be anxious about what has not reached you.

12 ـ إنْ كُنْتَ جازِعاً على كُلِّ ما يَفْلِتُ مِنْ يَدَيْكَ فَاجْزَعْ على مالَمْ يَصِلْ إلَيكَ

13 . With excessive anxiety, the calamity is magnified.

13 ـ بِكَثْرَةِ الجَزَعِ تَعْظُمُ الفَجيعَةُ

14 . Counter anxiety with patience.

14 ـ ضادُّوا الجَزَعَ بِالصَّبْرِ

15 . There is no recompense with anxiety.

15 ـ لَيْسَ مَعَ الجَزَعِ مَثُوبَةٌ

16 . Whoever becomes anxious, his adversity increases.

16 ـ مَنْ جَزَعَ عَظُمَتْ مُصيبَتُهُ

17 . One who is overcome by anxiety is deprived of the merit of patience.

17 ـ مَنْ ملَكَهُ الجَزَعُ حُرِمَ فَضيلَةَ الصَّبرِ

18 . One who becomes anxious has tormented himself, neglected the command of Allah, the Glorified, and sold off his reward.

18 ـ مَنْ جَزَعَ فَنَفْسَهُ عَذَّبَ، وأمْرَ اللّهِ سُبْحانَهُ أضاعَ، وثَوابَهُ باعَ

19 . Do not get anxious in the [face of] little that you dislike for it will put you in a lot of what you dislike.

19 ـ لاتَجزَعُوا مِنْ قَليلِ ماأكْرَهَكُمْ (كَرِهْتُم)، فَيُوقِعَكُمْ ذلِكَ في كَثير مِمّا تَـكْرَهُونَ

20 . Patience and anxiety do not go together.

20 ـ لا تَجْتَمِعُ الصَّبْرُ والجَزَعُ

Requital And Reward

Requital and Reward المجازاة والجزاء

1 . One who believes in [divine] requital does not choose [to do] anything but good.

1 ـ مَنْ صَدَّقَ بِالمُجازاةِ لَمْ يُؤْثِرْ غَيْرَ الحُسْنى

2 . One who is certain about requital does not choose [to do] anything but good.

2 ـ مَنْ أيْقَنَ بِالمُجازاةِ لَـمْ يُؤثِرْ غَيْـرَ الحُسْنى

3 . The reward is proportionate to the tribulation [endured].

3 ـ عَلى قَدْرِ البَلاءِ يَكُونُ الجَزاءُ

4 . The grant [of reward] from Allah is proportionate to the [sincerity of] intention.

4 ـ على قَدْرِ النِّيَّةِ تَـكُونُ مِنَ اللّهِ العَطِيَّةُ

5 . One who is not certain of the recompense [for actions], doubt has corrupted his certitude.

5 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُوقِنْ بِالجَزاءِ أفْسَدَ الشَّكُّ يَقينَهُ

6 . Never make haste in reacting harshly and never be quick to punish when there is an alternative, for this causes depletion of the faith and brings closer the transformations [of blessing into calamity].

6 ـ لاتُسْرِعَنَّ إلى بادِرَة ولا تُعَجِّلَنَّ بِعُقُوبَة وَجَدْتَ عَنْها مَنْدُوحَةً فَإنَّ ذلِكَ مَنْهَكَةٌ لِلدّينِ مُقَرِّبٌ مِنَ الغِيَـرِ

7 . The quickest punishment is the punishment for transgression.

7 ـ إنَّ أعْجَلَ العُقُوبَةِ عُقُوبَةُ البَغْىِ

8 . Verily Allah, the Glorified, has ordained punishment for committing sins against Him in order to save His servants from His chastisement.

8 ـ إنَّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ قَدْ وَضَعَ العِقابَ عَلى مَعاصِيهِ ذِيادَةً لِعِبادِهِ عَنْ نَقِمَتِهِ

9 . The punishment of noble ones is better than the forgiveness of the vile ones.

9 ـ عُقُوبَةُ الكِرامِ أحْسَنُ مِنْ عَفْوِ اللِّئامِ

10 . The punishment of the hot tempered, spiteful and jealous people starts from [within] themselves.

10 ـ عُقُوبَةُ الغَضُوبِ والحَقُودِ والحَسُودِ تُبْدَءُ بِأنْفُسِهِمْ

11 . The punishment of the intelligent is [in the form of] insinuation.

11 ـ عُقُوبَةُ العُقَلاءِ التَّلْويحُ

12 . The punishment of the ignorant is [in the form of open] declaration.

12 ـ عُقُوبَةُ الجُهَلاءِ التَّصْريحُ

13 . There is no protector for one who is sought by Allah [for punishment].

13 ـ لَيْسَ لِمَنْ طَلَبَهُ اللّهُ مُجيرٌ

14 . Whoever punishes the one who is apologetic has committed a grave injustice.

14 ـ مَنْ عاقَبَ مُعْتَذِراً عَظُمَتْ إساءَتُهُ

15 . One who punishes [a person] for [having committed] an offence has no merit.1

15 ـ مَنْ عاقَبَ بِالذَّنْبِ فَلا فَضْلَ لَهُ

16 . Not every sinner deserves to be punished.

16 ـ ما كُلُّ مُذْنِب يُعاقَبُ

17 . How repulsive is punishment [that is meted out] despite apology.

17 ـ ما أقْبَحَ العُقُوبَةَ مَعَ الاِعْتِذارِ

Notes

1. Rather, the merit is in forgiving.

The Body

The Body الجسد والأجسام

1 . Serving the body is granting it whatever it seeks of pleasures and desires and what it covets, but in [all] this is the destruction of the soul.

1 ـ خِدْمَةُ الجَسَدِ إعْطاؤُهُ ما يَسْتَدْعيهِ مِنَ المَلاذِّ والشَّهَواتِ والمُقْتَنَياتِ وَفي ذلِكَ هِلاكُ النَّفسِ

2 . Physical health is one of the most wholesome bounties.

2 ـ صِحَّةُ الأجْسامِ مِنْ أهْنَاِ الأقسامِ

3 . How can one be deceived by the health of a body that is prone to malady?

3 ـ كَيفَ يُغْتَرُّ بِسَلامَةِ جِسْم مُعَرَّض للآفاتِ

Antipathy

Antipathy الجفاء

1 . Beware of antipathy, for it corrupts brotherhood and makes one despised by Allah and the people.

1 ـ إيّاكَ والجَفاءَ، فَإنَّهُ يُفْسِدُ الإخاءَ، ويُمَقِّتُ إلَى اللّهِ والنّاسِ

2 . Antipathy is a disgrace and sinning is [a cause of] destruction.

2 ـ الجَفاءُ شَيْـنٌ، اَلمَعْصِيَةُ حَيْنٌ

3 . Antipathy spoils brotherhood.

3 ـ اَلجَفاءُ يُفْسِدُ الإخاءَ

Loftiness

Loftiness الجَلالة

1 . When acts of kindness increase and forbearance becomes strong, loftiness is attained.

1 ـ عِنْدَ كَثْرَةِ الإفْضالِ وشِدَّةِ الإحْتِمالِ تَتَحَقَّقُ الجَلالةُ

Intercourse

Intercourse الجِماعُ

1 . He (‘a) was asked about intercourse, so he said: [It is] shame that is lifted, loins that are joined and the closest thing to insanity. Persistence in it makes one senile and revival from it brings regret. When lawful, its fruit is a son who, if he lives, subjects [one] to trial and if he dies, causes sadness.

1 ـ سُئِلَ ـ عليه السّلام ـ عنِ الجِماعِ، فقال: حَياءٌ يُرْتَفَعُ، وعَوْراتٌ تَجْتَمِعُ، أشبَهُ شَْيء بِالجُنُونِ، اَلإصرارُ عَلَيْهِ هَرَمٌ، والإفاقَةُ مِنْهُ نَدَمٌ، ثَمَرَةُ حَلالِهِ الوَلَدُ، إنْ عاشَ فَتَنَ، وإنْ ماتَ حَزَنَ

Beauty

Beauty الجمال

1 . External beauty is [in possessing] good looks.

1 ـ اَلجَمالُ الظّاهِرُ حُسْنُ الصُّورَةِ

2 . Internal beauty is [in possessing] a good heart.

2 ـ اَلجَمالُ الباطِنُ حُسْنُ السَّريرَةِ

3 . The beauty of a man is his clemency.

3 ـ جَمالُ الرَّجُلِ حِلْمُهُ

4 . The beauty of a man is dignity.

4 ـ جَمالُ الرَّجُلِ الوَقارُ

5 . Beauty of the freeman is [in] keeping away from dishonour.

5 ـ جَمالُ الحُرِّ تَجَنُّبُ العارِ

6 . The purity of beauty is [in] chastity.

6 ـ زَكوةُ الجَمالِ العَفافُ

The Beautiful

The Beautiful الجميل

1 . One whose beautiful actions increase, the people unite in elevating him.

1 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ جَميلُهُ أجمَعَ النّاسُ على تَفْضيلِهِ

Grooming

Grooming التّجمّل

1 . Grooming oneself is an apparent [form of] magnanimity.

1 ـ التَّجَمُّلُ مُرُوءَةٌ ظاهِرَةٌ

2 . Self-grooming is a characteristic of the believers.

2 ـ اَلتَّجَمُلُ مِنْ أخْلاقِ المُؤمِنينَ

Moderation

Moderation المجمل

1 . Not everyone who is moderate in seeking [his livelihood] is deprived.1

1 ـ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مُجْمِل بِمَحْرُوم

Notes

1. This is half of a sentence from letter no. 31 of Nahj al-Balāgha.

Paradise And The People Of Paradise

Paradise and the People of Paradise الجنَّةُ وأهل الجنّة

1 . Paradise is the best place of return and hellfire is the worst place of residence.

1 ـ الجَنَّةُ خَيْرُ مَآل، والنّارُ شَرُّ مَقيل

2 . Indeed, I have not seen any place whose seeker is in slumber like Paradise and any place whose fleer is in slumber like hellfire.

2 ـ ألا وإنّي لَمْ أرَ كَالجَنَّةِ نامَ طالِبُها، ولا كالنَّارِ نامَ هارِبُها

3 . Verily the people of Paradise constitute all the believers who are easygoing and gentle.

3 ـ إنَّ أهلَ الجَنَّةِ كُلُّ مُؤْمِن هَين لَيْن

4 . Verily Allah, the Exalted, makes whomever He wishes, from those of his servants who posses sincere intentions and righteous hearts, enter Paradise.

4 ـ إنَّ اللّهَ تعالى يُدْخِلُ بِحُسْنِ النِّيَّةِ وصالِحِ السَّريرَةِ مَنْ يَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الجَنَّةَ

5 . Paradise is the abode of peace.

5 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ دارُ الأمانِ

6 . If you must be desirous of something, then be desirous of a Paradise, the span of which covers the heavens and the earth.

6 ـ إنْ كُنْتُمْ راغِبينَ لامُحالَةَ، فَارْغَبُوا في جَنَّة عَرْضُهاَ السَّمواتِ والأرضِ

7 . Paradise is the reward of the obedient.

7 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ جَزاءُ المُطيعِ

8 . Paradise is the abode of the pious.

8 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ دارُ الأتْقياءِ

9 . Paradise is the goal of the foremost [in righteousness].

9 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ غايَةُ السّابِقينَ

10 . Paradise is the most excellent goal.

10 ـ اَلْجَنَّةُ أفْضَلُ غايَة

11 . Paradise is the returning place of the victorious.

11 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ مَ آلُ الفائِزِ

12 . Paradise is the reward of every righteous believer.

12 ـ اَلجَنَّةُ جَزاءُ كُلِّ مُؤْمِن مُحسِن

13 . Paradise is attained through keeping away from sins.

13 ـ نَيْلُ الجَنَّةِ بِالتَّنَزُّهِ عَنِ المَأثِمِ

14 . Verily you will not enter Paradise until you restrain yourself from misdeeds and stop [committing them]; and deter yourself from sins and desist [from them].

14 ـ إنَّكَ لَنْ تَلِجَ الجَنَّةَ حتّى تَزْدَجِرَ عَنْ غَيِّكَ، وتَنْتَهِيَ، وتَرْتَدِعَ عَنْ مَعاصيكَ، وتَرعَوِيَ

15 . If you believe in Allah and abstain from what He has forbidden, He will put you in the Abode of Peace, and if you please Him, He will cover you with [divine] favour.

15 ـ إذا آمَنْتَ بِاللّهِ واتَّقَيْتَ مَحارِمَهُ أحَلَّكَ دارَ الأمانِ، وإذا أرْضَيْتَهُ تَغَمَّدَكَ بِالرِّضوانِ

16 . The price of Paradise is good deeds.

16 ـ ثَمَنُ الجَنَّةِ العَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ

17 . The price of Paradise is renunciation of the [pleasures of this] world.

17 ـ ثَمَنُ الجَنَّةِ الزُّهدُ في الدُّنيا

18 . The chiefs of the people of Paradise are the generous and the pious.

18 ـ سادَةُ أهلِ الجَنَّةِ اَلأسْخياءُ، والمُـتَّقُونَ

19 . The chiefs of the people of Paradise are the sincere ones.

19 ـ سادَةُ أهلِ الجَنَّةِ المُخْلِصُونَ

20 . The chiefs of the people of Paradise are the God-fearing and the virtuous.

20 ـ سادَةُ أهلِ الجَنَّةِ الأتْقياءُ الأبْرارُ

21 . Seeking Paradise without good deeds is foolishness.

21 ـ طَلَبُ الجَنَّةِ بِلا عَمَل حُمْقٌ

22 . Paradise is not achieved [simply] by wishing for it.

22 ـ لاتَحْصُلُ الجَنَّةُ بِالتَّمَنّي

23 . Neither a swindler nor one who put others under obligation, will enter Paradise.

23 ـ لايَدْخُلُ الجَنَّةَ خَبٌّ ولا مَنّانٌ

24 . None will be victorious in attaining Paradise except one whose heart is good and intention sincere.

24 ـ لايَفُوزُ بِالجَنَّةِ إلاّ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ سَريرَتُهُ وخَلُصَتْ نِيَّتُهُ

25 . Every bliss other than Paradise is derisory.

25 ـ كُلُّ نَعيم دُونَ الجَنَّةِ مَحْقُورٌ

26 . None will be victorious in attaining Paradise except the one who works hard for it.

26 ـ لَنْ يَفُوزَ بِالجَنَّةِ إلاّ السّاعي لَها

27 . None shall attain Paradise except the one who struggles against his [lower] self.

27 ـ لَنْ يَحُوزَ الجنَّةَ إلاَّ مَنْ جاهَدَ نَفْسَهُ

28 . One who yearns for Paradise forgets his [worldly] desires.

28 ـ مَنِ اشْتاقَ إلَى الْجَـنَّةِ سَلا عَنِ الشَّهواتِ

29 . Paradise is attained through abstaining from sins.

29 ـ نَيْلُ الجَنَّةِ بِالتَّنَزُّهِ عَنِ المَـآثِمِ

30 . One who shuns what is forbidden shall attain Paradise.

30 ـ نالَ الجَنَّةَ مَنِ اتَّقى عَنِ المَحارِمِ

31 . How impossible! Allah cannot be cheated of His Paradise, and none can attain what is with Him except by His pleasure.

31 ـ هَيْهاتَ لايُخْدَعُ اللّهُ عَنْ جَنَّتِهِ، وَلا يُنالُ ما عِنْدَهُ إلاّ بِمَرضاتِهِ

32 . The delegation that enters Paradise is constantly showered with blessings.

32 ـ وَفْدُ الجَنَّةِ أبَداً مُنَعَّمُونَ

33 . Those who enter Paradise are in perpetual bliss.

33 ـ وارِدُ الجَنَّةِ مُخَلَّدُ النَّعْماءِ

Generosity

Generosity الجود

1 . Generosity for the sake of Allah is the worship of those who are close [to Allah].

1 ـ اَلجُودُ فِي اللّهِ عِبادَةُ المُقَرَّبينَ

2 . Generosity without fear or hope of recompense is true generosity.

2 ـ اَلجُودُ مِنْ غَيْرِ خَوْف ولارَجاءِ مُكافاة، حَقيقَةُ الجُودِ

3 . Give generously and you will be honoured.

3 ـ إسْمَحْ تُـكْرَمْ

4 . The most generous of you is the one who will gain the most.

4 ـ أسْمَحُكُمْ أرْبَحُكُمْ

5 . The most excellent of noble traits is generosity.

5 ـ أحْسَنُ المَكارِمِ الجُودُ

6 . The best generosity is to forgive after gaining the upper hand.

6 ـ أحْسَنُ الجُودِ عَفْوٌ بَعْدَ مَقْدُرَة

7 . The greatest generosity is being open-handed with whatever is available.

7 ـ أفْضَلُ الجُودِ بَذْلُ المَوْجُودِ

8 . The greatest generosity is delivering the rights to their [rightful] owners.

8 ـ أفْضَلُ الجُودِ إيصالُ الحُقُوقِ إلى أهْلِها

9 . The greatest generosity is giving despite [facing] hard times.

9 ـ أفْضَلُ الجُودِ ما كانَ عَنْ عُسْرَة

10 . Generosity is [true] leadership, sovereignty is [only] administration.

10 ـ اَلجُودُ رِياسَةٌ، اَلمُلْكُ سِياسَةٌ

11 . Generosity is a present honour.

11 ـ اَلجُودُ عِزٌّ مَوْجُودٌ

12 . Generosity is the protector of honour.

12 ـ اَلجُودُ حارِسُ الأعْراضِ

13 . The bane of generosity is poverty.

13 ـ آفَةُ الجُودِ الفَقْرُ

14 . The bane of generosity is wastefulness.

14 ـ آفَةُ الجُودِ التَّبْذيرُ

15 . Through generosity, authority is acquired.

15 ـ بِالجُودِ تَـكُوُنُ السِّيادَةُ

16 . Generosity stems from nobility of character.

16 ـ اَلجُودُ مِنْ كَرَمِ الطَّبيعَةِ

17 . Through generosity, men gain authority.

17 ـ بِالجُودِ تَسُودُ الرِّجالُ

18 . Through generosity, distinction is established and praise is acquired.

18 ـ بِالجُودِ يُبْتَنَي المَجْدُ وَيُجْتَلَبُ الحَمْدُ

19 . Be generous with whatever you have, [and] you will be praised.

19 ـ جُدْ بِما تَجِدْ تُحْمَدْ

20 . Be generous and you will gain authority; be patient and you will be triumphant.

20 ـ جُدْ تَسُدْ، وَاصْبِرْ تَظْفُرْ

21 . The generosity of the poor is the best generosity.

21 ـ جُودُ الفَقيرِ أفْضَلُ الجُودِ

22 . Be generous with what is available, fulfil your promises and be loyal with the trusts [that have been entrusted to you].

22 ـ جُودُوا بِالمَوْجُودِ، وأنْجِزُوا الوُعُودَ، وأوْفُوا بِالعُهُودِ

23 . The generosity of a poor person dignifies him and the stinginess of a rich person debases him.

23 ـ جُودُ الفَقيرِ يُجِلُّهُ، وبُخْلُ الغَنِيِّ يُذِلُّهُ

24 . Be generous with that which perishes and you will be compensated for it with that which lasts.

24 ـ جُودُوا بِما يَفْنى تَعْتاضُوا عَنْهُ بِما يَبْقى

25 . Be generous for the sake of Allah and struggle against your selves in obedience to Him, He will [in return] magnify your reward and increase His favour upon you.

25 ـ جُودُوا فيِ اللّهِ وجاهِدُوا أنْفُسَكُمْ عَلى طاعَتِهِ يُعْظِمْ لَكُمْ الجَزاءَ وَيُحْسِنْ لَكُمْ الحَباءَ

26 . Generosity is the practice of the honourable.

26 ـ سُنَّةُ الكِرامِ الجُودُ

27 . The highest extent of generosity is giving [from] whatever is available.

27 ـ غايَةُ الجُودِ بَذْلُ المَوْجُودِ

28 . One who is open-handed does good to others.

28 ـ مَنْ جادَ اصْطَنَعَ

29 . One who is generous gains authority.

29 ـ مَنْ جادَ سادَ

30 . One who does not show generosity is not praised.

30 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يَجُِدْ لَمْ يُحْمَدْ

31 . How excellent is generosity when in straitened circumstances!

31 ـ ما أحْسَنَ الجُودَ مَعَ الإعْسارِ

32 . One who does not give generously while he is praised has to give away while he is dispraised.

32 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَحْ وهُوَ مَحْمُودٌ سَمَحَ وهُوَ مَلُومٌ

33 . One who does not give generously does not gain authority.

33 ـ مَنْ لـَمْ يَسْمَحْ لـَمْ يَسُدْ

34 . The generosity of a man endears him to his rivals and his stinginess makes him hated by his [own] children.

34 ـ جُودُ الرَّجُلِ يُحَبِّبُهُ إلى أضْدادِهِ، وبُخْلُهُ يُبَغِّضُهُ إلى أوْلادِهِ

The Generous

The Generous الجواد

1 . The generous person is loved and praised, even if nothing of his generosity reaches his praiser, and the stingy person is the opposite of this.

1 ـ اَلجَوادُ مَحْبُوبٌ، مَحْمُودٌ، وإنْ لَمْ يَصِلْ مِنْ جُودِهِ إلى مادِحِهِ شَيْءٌ، والبَخِيْلُ ضِدُّ ذلِكَ

2 . The one who is generous is praised in this world and felicitous in the Hereafter.

2 ـ اَلجَوادُ فِي الدُّنْيا مَحْمُودٌ، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ مَسْعُودٌ

3 . Verily the masters of the people of this world (and the Hereafter) are the generous.

3 ـ إنَّما سادَةُ أهْلِ الدُّنْيا (والآخِرَةِ) الأجْوادُ

4 . Be generous with the truth and miserly with falsehood.

4 ـ كُنْ جَواداً بِالحَقِّ، بَخيلاً بِالباطِلِ

5 . Be [either] selflessly generous or moderate in giving but do not be from the third kind (i.e. the misers).

5 ـ كُنْ جَواداً مُؤْثِراً، أوْ مُقْتَصِداً مُقَدِرّاً، وإيّاكَ أنْ تَكُونَ الثّالِثَ

Proximity To Allah

Proximity to Allah جار اللّه وجواره

1 . One who is close to Allah is safe, while [one who is] His enemy is frightened.

1 ـ جارُ اللّهِ سُبْحانَهُ آمِنٌ، وعَدُوُّهُ خائِفٌ

2 . Proximity to Allah is granted to those who obey Him and keep away from disobedience to Him.

2 ـ جِوارُ اللّهِ مَبْذُولٌ لِمَنْ أطاعَهُ وتَجَنَّبَ مُخالَفَتَهُ

Neighbours

Neighbours الجيران

1 . The worst of neighbours is the wicked neighbour.

1 ـ بِئْسَ الجارُ جارُ السُّوءِ

2 . A wicked neighbour is the greatest adversity and the most serious tribulation.

2 ـ جارُ السُّوءِ أعْظَمُ الضَّـرّاءِ، وأشَدُّ البَلاءِ

3 . Be a neighbour to one from whose evil you are safe and whose goodness does not turn away from you.

3 ـ جاوِرْمَنْ تَأمَنُ شَـرَّهُ، وَلايَعْدُوكَ خَيْـرُهُ

4 . Ask about the neighbour before the house.

4 ـ سَلْ عَنِ الجارِ قَبْلَ الدّارِ

5 . Being a bad neighbour and offending the virtuous are the worst forms of vileness.

5 ـ سُوءُ الجَوارِ والإساءَةُ إلَى الأبْرارِ مِنْ أعْظَمِ اللُّؤمِ

6 . One who is neighbourly gets many neighbours.

6 ـ مَنْ حَسُنَ جَوارُهُ كَثُرَ جيرانُهُ

7 . One who is good to his neighbours gets many helpers.

7 ـ مَنْ أحْسَنَ إلى جيرانِهِ كَثُرَ خَدَمُهُ

8 . Taking care of one’s neighbour is an act of magnanimity.

8 ـ مِنَ الـمُرُوَّةِ تَعَهُّدُ الجيرانِ

Hunger

Hunger الجُوعُ

1 . Hunger is better than the humiliation of subjugation.

1 ـ اَلْجُوعُ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذُلِّ الخُضُوعِ

2 . Keeping oneself hungry is the most beneficial cure, whereas eating to one’s fill increases maladies.

2 ـ اَلتَّجَوُّعُ أنْفَعُ الدَّواءِ، اَلشِّبَعُ يُكْثِرُ الأدْواءَ

3 . Hunger is better than subjugation.

3 ـ اَلجُوعُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الخُضُوعِ

4 . Complement your food with hunger and discipline yourself with contentment.

4 ـ تَأَدَّمْ بِالجُوعِ وتَأَدَّبْ بِالقُنُوعِ

5 . The best condiment is hunger.

5 ـ نِعْمَ الإدامُ الجُوعُ

6 . How good an assistant of piety hunger is!

6 ـ نِعْمَ عَونُ الوَرَعِ التَّجَوُّعُ

7 . How good an assistant in cutting down the [desires of the carnal] self and breaking its [bad] habits hunger is!

7 ـ نِعْمَ العَونُ عَلى أشَـرِ(أسْرِ) النَّفْسِ وكَسْرِ عادَتِها التَّجَوُّعُ

High Rank

High Rank الجاهُ وذو الجاه

1 . The alms-tax of high rank [and power] is benefitting others with it.

1 ـ زَكوةُ الجاهِ بَذْلُهُ

2 . One of the obligations of a person who possesses a high rank is to use it to grant the [needs of] one who seeks from him.

2 ـ مِنَ الواجِبِ عَلى ذِي الجاهِ أنْ يَبْذُلَهُ لِطالِبِهِ

3 . One who benefits others with his high rank makes himself praiseworthy.

3 ـ مَنْ بَذَلَ جاهَهُ اسْتَحْمَدَ


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