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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Anger

Anger-الغضب

1 . Anger strikes down its possessor and exposes his faults.

1 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ يُرْدي صاحِبَهُ، ويُبْدي مَعايِبَهُ

2 . Anger is a kindled fire, one who suppresses it extinguishes the fire and one who lets it burn freely is the first person who will be burnt by it.

2 ـ اَلغَضَبُ نارٌ مُوقَدَةٌ، مَنْ كَظَمَهُ أطْفَأَها، ومَنْ أطْلَقَهُ كانَ أوَّلَ مُحْتَرِق بِها

3 . Anger arouses hidden feelings of malice.

3 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ يُثيرُ كَوامِنَ الحِقْدِ

4 . Keep away from anger, for its beginning is madness and its end is regret.

4 ـ إيّاكَ والغَضَبَ، فَأوَّلُهُ جُنُونٌ، وآخِرُهُ نَدَمٌ

5 . The person who is most capable of being on the right is one who does not get angry.

5 ـ أقْدَرُ النّاسِ عَلَى الصَّوابِ مَنْ لَمْ يَغْضَبْ

6 . The best control is control over anger.

6 ـ أفْضَلُ المِلْكِ مِلْكُ الغَضَبِ

7 . Leave some room from your anger for your satisfaction, and when you fly off [in a rage] then calm back down.

7 ـ اِبْقَ لِرِضاكَ مِنْ غَضَبِكَ، وإذا طِرْتَ فَقَعْ شَكِيراً

8 . Guard yourselves from the vehemence of anger, and prepare for it the restraint and forbearance that will help you fight against it.

8 ـ اِحْتَرِسُوا مِنْ سَوْرَةِ الغَضَبِ، وأعِدُّوا لَهُ ما تُجاهِدُونَهُ، بِهِ مِنَ الكَظْمِ وَالحِلْمِ

9 . Beware of anger, for it is indeed a burning fire.

9 ـ اِحْذَرُوا الغَضَبَ، فَإنَّهُ نارٌ مُحْرِقَةٌ

10 . The best of people is one who swallows his anger and displays forbearance despite having power [to take revenge].

10 ـ أفْضَلُ النّاسِ مَنْ كَظَمَ غَيْظَهُ، وحَلُمَ عَنْ قُدْرَة

11 . A person’s most bitter enemies are his anger and his lust, so whoever controls these two, his status is elevated and he attains his goal.

11 ـ أعْدى عَدُوّ لِلْمَرْءِ غَضَبُهُ، وشَهْوَتُهُ، فَمَنْ مَلَكَهُما عَلَتْ دَرَجَتُهُ، وَبَلَغَ غايَتَهُ

12 . Anger is the conveyance of impetuosity.

12 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ مَرْكَبُ الطَّيْشِ

13 . Anger evokes impetuosity.

13 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ يُثيرُ الطَّيْشَ

14 . Anger is the fire of the hearts.

14 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ نارُ القُلُوبِ

15 . Anger is an evil which will destroy [you] if you obey it.

15 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ شَرٌّ إنْ أطَعْتَهُ دَمَّرَ

16 . Anger is an enemy, so do not let it control you.

16 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ عَدُوٌّ، فَلا تُمَلِكّْهُ نَفْسَكَ

17 . Anger corrupts intellects and distances one from the right (or from reward).

17 ـ اَلْغَضَبُ يُفْسِدُ الألْبابَ،وَ يُبْعِدُ مِنَ الصَّوابِ(عَنِ الثَّوابِ ).

18 . Verily if you obey the vehemence of anger, it will lead you to the utmost destruction.

18 ـ إنَّكُمْ إنْ أطَعْتُمْ سَوْرَةَ الغَضَبِ أوْرَدَتْكُمْ نِهايَةَ العَطَبِ

19 . When anger comes over you, then overcome it with forbearance and dignity.

19 ـ إذا تَسَلَّطَ عَلَيْكَ الغَضَبُ فَاغْلِبْهُ بِالحِلْمِ والوَقارِ

20 . Through excessive anger, impetuosity comes about.

20 ـ بِكَثْرَةِ الْغَضَبِ يَكُونُ الطَّيشُ

21 . How evil an associate anger is! It exposes faults, brings evil closer and distances good.

21 ـ بِئْسَ القَرينُ الغَضَبُ، يُبْدي المَعائِبَ، ويُدْنِى الشَّرَّ، ويُباعِدُ الخَيْرَ

22 . Remedy your anger with silence and your lust with reason.

22 ـ داوُوا الغَضَبَ بِالصَّمْتِ، والشَّهْوَةَ بِالعَقْلِ

23 . Repelling anger with forbearance is the fruit of knowledge.

23 ـ رَدُّ الغَضَبِ بِالحِلْمِ ثَمَرَةُ العِلْمِ

24 . Repel [fits of] rage with forbearance.

24 ـ رُدُّوا البادِرَةَ بِالحِلْمِ

25 . Yielding to anger is the cause of destruction.

25 ـ سَبَبُ العَطَبِ طاعَةُ الغَضَبِ

26 . Counter anger with forbearance and you will make your results praiseworthy in every matter.

26 ـ ضادُّوا الغَضَبَ بِالحِلْمِ، تَحْمِدُوا عَواقِبَكُمْ في كُلِّ أمْر

27 . The raging fire of anger leads to the embarking of destruction.

27 ـ ضِرامُ نارِ الغَضَبِ يَبْعَثُ عَلى رُكُوبِ العَطَبِ

28 . Counter anger with forbearance.

28 ـ ضادُّوا الغَضَبَ بِالحِلْمِ

29 . Yielding to anger leads to regret and disobedience.

29 ـ طاعَةُ الغَضَبِ نَدَمٌ وعِصْيانٌ

30 . One who overcomes his anger has gained victory over Satan.

30 ـ ظَفِرَ بِالشَّيْطانِ مَنْ غَلَبَ غَضَبَهُ

31 . Satan is victorious over the one who has been overcome by his anger.

31 ـ ظَفِرَ الشَّيْطانُ بِمَنْ مَلَكَهُ غَضَبُهُ

32 . In anger there is destruction.

32 ـ فِي الغَضَبِ اَلعَطَبُ

33 . Increased anger degrades its possessor and exposes his faults.

33 ـ كَثْرَةُ الغَضَبِ تُزْري بِصاحِبِهِ، وتُبْدي مَعائِبَهُ

34 . Be slow in getting angry, quick in calming down and ready to accept excuses.

34 ـ كُنْ بَطيءَ الغَضَبِ، سَريعَ الفَيْءِ، مُحِبّاً لِقَبُولِ العُذْرِ

35 . The devil has no greater lasso [to ensnare human beings with] than anger and women.

35 ـ لَيْسَ لإبْلِيسَ وَهَقٌ أعْظَمُ مِنَ الغَضَبِ والنِّساءِ

36 . One who gets angry frequently makes others weary [of him].1

36 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ تَغَضُّبُهُ مَلَّ

37 . One who turns his anger loose hastens his [own] death.

37 ـ مَنْ أطْلَقَ غَضَبَهُ تَعَجَّلَ حَتْفُهُ

38 . One who is overpowered by his anger is not safe from destruction.

38 ـ مَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ الغَضَبُ لَمْ يَأْمَنِ العَطَبَ

39 . One whose anger overpowers him is susceptible to its harm.

39 ـ مَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبُهُ تَعَرَّضَ لِعَطَبِهِ

40 . One who opposes his anger has yielded to forbearance.

40 ـ مَنْ عَصى غَضَبَهُ أطاعَ الحِلْمَ

41 . Whoever submits to his anger, his ruin is hastened.

41 ـ مَنْ أطاعَ غَضَبَهُ تَعَجَّلَ تَلَفُهُ

42 . One whose anger is much, his pleasure is not known.

42 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ غَضَبُهُ لَمْ يُعْرَفْ رِضاهُ

43 . He who gets angry on the one whom he cannot harm, prolongs his sadness and torments himself.

43 ـ مَنْ غَضِبَ عَلى مَنْ لايَقْدِرُعَلى مَضَرَّتِهِ طالَ حُزْنُهُ، وعذَّبَ نَفْسَهُ

44 . Whoever is overpowered by his anger and lust, then he is in the category of beasts.

44 ـ مَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبُهُ وشَهْوَتُهُ فَهُوَ في حَيِّزِ البَهائِمِ

45 . He who gets angry upon one whom he has no power over, dies with his rage.

45 ـ مَنِ اغْتاظَ عَلى مَنْ لايَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ ماتَ بِغَيْظِهِ

46 . When shall I vent my anger if I get angry, is it when I am incapable (of taking revenge) and it is said to me “it is better for you to be patient” or when I have the power to (exact revenge) and it is said to me “it is better for you to forgive”?

46 ـ مَتى أشْفِي غَيْظي إذا غَضِبْتُ، أحِيْنَ أعْجِزُ (عَنِ الاِنْتِقامِ) فَيُقالَ لي لَوْ صَبَرْتَ، أمْ حينَ أقْدِرُ (عَلَيْهِ) فَيُقالَ لي لَوْ عَفَوْتَ

47 . Let your anger never prevail over your forbearance.

47 ـ لايَغْلِبَنَّ غَضَبُكَ حِلْمَكَ

48 . Never be quick in getting angry, thereby letting it become your uncontrollable habit.

48 ـ لاتُسْرِعَنَّ إلَى الغَضَبِ فَيَتَسَلَّطَ عَلَيْكَ بِالعادَةِ

49 . There is no etiquette with anger.

49 ـ لاأدَبَ مَعَ غَضَب

50 . There is no relationship move vile than anger.

50 ـ لانَسَبَ أوْضَعُ مِنَ الغَضَبِ

51 . The glory of anger does not match the humility of seeking pardon.

51 ـ لايَقُومُ عِزُّ الغَضَبِ بِذُلِّ الاِعْتِذارِ

Notes

1. Or: One who gets angry frequently becomes weary.

Seeking Forgiveness

Seeking forgiveness-الاِسْتِغفار

1 . Seek forgiveness and you will be provided sustenance.

1 ـ اِسْتَغْفِرْ، تُرْزَقْ

2 . The best supplication (or means of coming closer to Allah) is seeking forgiveness.

2 ـ أفْضَلُ التَّوَسُّلِ (التَّوَصُّلِ) الاِسْتِغْفارُ

3 . Seeking forgiveness wipes out [one’s] sins.

3 ـ اَلاِسْتِغْفارُ يَمْحُو الأوْزارَ

4 . Seeking forgiveness is the remedy of sins.

4 ـ اَلاِسْتِغْفارُ دَواءُ الذُّنُوبِ

5 . Seeking forgiveness has the greatest recompense and the quickest reward.

5 ـ اَلإسْتِغْفارُ أعْظَمُ جَزاءً، وأسْرَعُ مَثُوبَةً

6 . Sincere repentance purges one’s sins.

6 ـ حُسْنُ الاِسْتِغْفارِ يُمَحِّصُ الذُّنُوبَ

7 . If the people were to turn in repentance [to Allah] and seek forgiveness whenever they disobeyed [or sinned], they would neither be punished nor would they be destroyed.

7 ـ لَوْ أنَّ النّاسَ حينَ عَصَوْا أنابُوا وَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لَمْ يُعَذَّبُوا وَلَمْيَهْلِكُوا

8 . One who has been granted [the opportunity to seek] repentance shall not be deprived of forgiveness.

8 ـ مَنْ أُعْطِيَ الاِسْتِغْفارَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ المَغْفِرَةَ

9 . One who seeks forgiveness from Allah attains absolution.

9 ـ مَنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللّهَ أصابَ المَغْفِرَةَ

10 . What a good means [of gaining the pleasure of Allah] seeking forgiveness is!

10 ـ نِعْمَ الوَسيلَةُ اَلاِسْتِغْفارُ

11 . There is no intercessor more successful than repentance.

11 ـ لاشَفيعَ أنْجَحُ مِنَ الاِسْتِغْفارِ

12 . No one gains forgiveness except he who reciprocates evil with good.

12 ـ لايَحُوزُ الغُفْرانَ إلاّ مَنْ قابَل الإساءَةَ بِالإحْسانِ

Negligence

Negligence-الغَفْلَة

1 . The wakefulness of eyes is of no benefit with the negligence of hearts.

1 ـ إنْتِباهُ العُيُونِ لايَنْفَعُ مَعَ غَفْلَةِ القُلُوبِ

2 . Negligence reaps delusion and brings one closer to destruction.

2 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ تَكْسِبُ الاِغْتِرارَ، وتُدْني مِنَ البَوارِ

3 . Be cautious of negligence, for indeed it is from the corruption of [one’s sensory] perception.

3 ـ اِحْذَرُوا الغَفْلَةَ،فَإنَّها مِنْ فَسادِ الحِسِّ

4 . Beware of negligence and being deluded by respite, for indeed negligence corrupts deeds, and death cut off hopes.

4 ـ إيّاكَ والغَفْلَةَ، والاِغْتِرارَ بِالمُهْلَةِ، فَإنَّ الغَفْلَةَ تُفْسِدُ الأعْمالَ، وَالآجالَ تَقْطَعُ الآمالَ

5 . Negligence is misguidance and heedlessness is ignorance.

5 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ ضَلالَةٌ، اَلغِرَّةُ جَهالَةٌ

6 . Negligence is joy.1

6 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ طَرَبٌ

7 . Negligence is the most harmful enemy.

7 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ أضَرُّ الأعْداءِ

8 . Negligence is the trait of the foolish.

8 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ شيمَةُ النَّوْكى

9 . Negligence is the opposite of judiciousness.

9 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ ضِدُّ الحَـزْمِ

10 . Negligence is the misguidance of souls and the symbol of misfortunes.

10 ـ اَلْغَفْلَةُ ضَلالُ النُّفُوسِ وعُنْوانُ النُّحُوسِ

11 . Continuous negligence blinds insight.

11 ـ دَوامُ الغَفْلَةِ يُعْمِى البَصيرَةَ

12 . The intoxication of negligence and delusion is harder to recover from than the intoxication of wines [and alcoholic drinks].

12 ـ سُكْرُ الغَفْلَةِ والغُرُورِ أبْعَدُ إفاقَةً مِنْ سُكْرِ الخُمُورِ

13 . Counter negligence with attentiveness.

13 ـ ضادُّوا الغَفْلَةَ بِاليَقْظَةِ

14 . I am surprised by the negligence of the intelligent ones with regards to seeking provisions and preparing for the Hereafter.

14 ـ عَجِبْتُ لِغَفْلَةِ ذَوِى الألْبابِ عَنْ حُسْنِ الاِرْتيادِ والاِسْتِعْدادِ لِلْمَعادِ

15 . Taking repose in negligence is delusion.

15 ـ فِي السُّكُونِ إلَى الغَفْلَةِ اِغْتِرارٌ

16 . Pitiable indeed is the negligent person whose entire life will be used as proof against him and whose days will lead him to wretchedness.

16 ـ فيا لَها حَسْرَةً عَلى ذي غَفْلَة إنْ يَكُنْ (أنْ يَكُونَ) عُمْرُهُ عَلَيْهِ حُجَّةً، وَإنْ تُؤَدِّبَهُ (وَ أنْ تُؤَدِّيَهُ) أيّّامُهُ إلى شَقْوَة

17 . Listener, awaken from your negligence, reduce your hastiness, brace yourself, be on your guard and remember your grave, for indeed you must pass through it.

17 ـ فَأفِقْ أيُّهَا السّامِعُ مِنْ غَفْلَتِكَ، واخْتَصِرْ مِنْ عَجَلَتِكَ، وأشْدُدْ أزْرَكَ، وخُذْ حِذْرَكَ، واذْكُرْ قَبْرَكَ، فَإنَّ عَلَيْهِ مَمَرَّكَ

18 . Negligence is enough of a misguidance.

18 ـ كَفى بِالغَفْلَةِ ضَلالاً

19 . It is enough of negligence for a person to waste his efforts in that which does not concern [or benefit] him.

19 ـ كَفى بِالمَرْءِ غَفْلَةً أنْ يَصْرِفَ هِمَّتـَهُ فيما لايَعْنيهِ

20 . It is enough of negligence for a person to squander his life in that which will not save him [in the Hereafter].

20 ـ كَفى بِالرَّجُلِ غَفْلَةً أنْ يُضَيِّعَ عُمْرَهُ فيما لايُنْجيهِ

21 . One who is negligent becomes ignorant.

21 ـ مَنْ غَفَلَ جَهِلَ

Notes

1. This is because the negligent one is not concerned about anything that goes on around him.

The Negligent

The Negligent-الغافل

1 . I am amazed at the one who is negligent, while death is swift in seeking him.

1 ـ عَجِبْتُ لِغافـِل، والمَوْتُ حَثيثٌ في طَلَبِهِ

2 . One whose negligence is prolonged, his destruction is hastened.

2 ـ مَنْ طالَبَ غَفْلَتُهُ تَعَجَّلَتْ هَلَكَتُهُ

3 . One whose negligence overcomes him, his heart dies.

3 ـ مَنْ غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْهِ الغَفْلَةُ ماتَ قَلْبُهُ

4 . One who is negligent about the events of [his] days is awakened by death.

4 ـ مَنْ غَفَلَ عَنْ حَوادِثِ الأيّامِ أيْقَظَهُ الحِمامُ

5 . Woe be to the one who is overcome by negligence so he forgets his [final] journey and does nor prepare for it.

5 ـ وَيْلٌ لِمَنْ غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْهِ الغَفْلَةُ فَنَسِيَ الرِّحْلَةَ ولَمْ يَسْتَعِدَّ

6 . No deed is accepted from the negligent one.

6 ـ لاعَمَلَ لِغافِل

The Victor And The Vanquished

The Victor and the vanquished-الغالب والمغلوب

1 . At times the [one who is] vanquished may gain victory.

1 ـ قَدْ يَغْلِبُ المَغْلُوبُ

2 . He who tries to vanquish the one who is above him is overpowered.

2 ـ مَنْ غالَبَ مَنْ فَوْقَهُ قُهِرَ

3 . Every victor other than Allah, is vanquished.

3 ـ كُلُّ غالِب غَيْرُ اللّهِ مَغْلُوبٌ

Fighting

Fighting-المغالبة

1 . Do not pick a fight with one whom you cannot repel.

1 ـ لاتُغالِبْ مَنْ لاتَقْدِرُعَلى دَفْعِهِ

Mistake

Mistake-الغلط

1 . A person’s mistake about (or harshness towards) the one who is friendly towards him is one of the most forbidden things for him.

1 ـ غَلَطُ (غَلَظُ) الإنْسانِ فيمَنْ يَنْبَسِطُ إلَيْهِ أحْظَرُ شَيْء عَلَيْهِ

Betrayal

Betrayal-الغلول

1 . The worst thing that can come upon the hearts is betrayal.

1 ـ شَرُّ ما أُلْقِيَ فِي القُلُوبِ الغُلُولُ

Rancor And Perfidy

Rancor and perfidy-الغلّ والغش والغشوش

1 . The tongue of a perfidious person is sweet but his heart is bitter.

1 ـ اَلْغَشُوشُ لِسانُهُ حُلْوٌ، وَقَلْبُهُ مُرٌّ

2 . The vilest perfidy is the perfidy of the leaders.

2 ـ أفْظَعُ الغِشِّ غِشُّ الأئِمَّةِ

3 . Verily the most perfidious of all people is the one who is most deceitful to himself and most disobedient to his Lord.

3 ـ إنَّ أغَشَّ النّاسِ أغَشُّهُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ وأعْصاهُمْ لِرَبِّهِ

4 . Perfidy is the trait of the recalcitrant.

4 ـ اَلْغِشُّ سَجِيَّةُ المَرَدَةِ

5 . Rancour is the seed of evil.

5 ـ اَلغِلُّ بَذْرُ الشَّرِّ

6 . Rancour is the malady of hearts.

6 ـ اَلغِلُّ داءُ القُلُوبِ

7 . Perfidy earns vituperation.

7 ـ اَلغِشُّ يَكْسِبُ المَسَبَّةَ

8 . Rancour nullifies good deeds.

8 ـ اَلْغِلُّ يُحْبِطُ الحَسَناتِ

9 . Perfidy is the worst craftiness.

9 ـ اَلْغِشُّ شَرُّ المَكْرِ

10 . Perfidy is from the characteristics of the wicked.

10 ـ اَلْغِشُّ مِنْ أخْلاقِ اللِّئامِ

11 . Deceiving a friend and being disloyal to one’s pledges are from [the acts of] betrayal of one’s covenant.

11 ـ غِشُّ الصَّديقِ والغَدْرُ بِالمَواثيقِ مِنْ خِيانَةِ العَهْدِ

12 . Whoever deceives the people in their faith, then he is an opponent of Allah and His Prophet.

12 ـ مَنْ غَشَّ النّاسَ في دينِـهِمْ فَهُوَ مُعانِدٌ لِلّهِ ورَسُولِهِ

13 . When one deceives you out of his enmity [with you], then do not blame him or censure him.

13 ـ مَنْ غَشَّكَ في عَداوَتِهِ فَلاتَلُمْهُ وَلاتَعْذُلْهُ

Grief

Grief-الغم

1 . Grief makes one dispirited and ends one’s joy.

1 ـ اَلْغَمُّ يَقْبِضُ النَّفْسَ، ويَطْوِى الاِنْبِساطَ

2 . Sorrow destroys the body.

2 ـ اَلحُزنُ يَهْدِمُ الجَسَدَ

3 . Sorrows are the ailment of the hearts.

3 ـ اَلأحْزانُ سُقْمُ القُلُوبِ

4 . Grief is the distinguishing mark of the believers.

4 ـ اَلحُزْنُ شِعارُ المُؤْمِنينَ

5 . Grief wears away the body.

5 ـ اَلْهَمُّ يُذيبُ الجَسَدَ

6 . Sorrow and anxiety do not bring back what has been lost.

6 ـ اَلْحُزْنُ والجَزَعُ لايَرُدّانِ الفائِتَ

7 . To the extent of pleasure, there is distress.

7 ـ بِقَدْرِ اللَّذَّةِ يَكُونُ التَّغْصيصُ

8 . One who bears his distress [patiently] realizes [his] opportunities.

8 ـ مَنْ تَجَرَّعَ الغُصَصَ أدْرَكَ الفُرَصَ

9 . Grief is one of the two senilities.

9 ـ اَلْهَمُّ أحَدُ الهِرَمَيْنِ

10 . Cast away the sorrows that come upon you through resolute patience and virtuous certitude.

10 ـ إطْرَحْ عَنْكَ وارِداتِ الهُمُومِ بِعَزائِمِ الصَّبْرِ، وحُسْنِ اليَقينِ

11 . Grief emaciates the body.

11 ـ اَلْهَمُّ يُنْحِلُ البَدَنَ

12 . Grief is an ailment of the soul.

12 ـ اَلغَمُّ مَرَضُ النَّفْسِ

13 . To the extent of endeavours, there are anxieties.

13 ـ عَلى قَدْرِ الهِمَمِ تَكُونُ الهُمُومُ

14 . How many a sorrowful person has been driven to perpetual bliss by his sorrow.

14 ـ كَمْ مِنْ حَزين وَفَدَ بِهِ حُزْنُهُ عَلى سُرُورِ الأبَدِ

15 . One whose grief increases, his sorrow becomes permanent.

15 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ غَمُّهُ تَأبَّدَ حُزْنُهُ

16 . To the extent of [one’s material] acquisition, there are heartaches.

16 ـ عَلى قَدْرِ القِنْيَةِ تَكُونُ الغُمُومُ

17 . For every distress there is a relief.

17 ـ لِكُلِّ هَمّ فَرَجٌ

18 . One who continuously worries is overpowered by sorrow.

18 ـ مَنِ اسْتَدامَ الهَمَّ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ الحُزْنُ

19 . One whose grief increases, his body becomes sick.

19 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ هَمُّهُ سَقِمَ بَدَنُهُ

20 . One whose entire concern is for his Hereafter attains what he hopes for.

20 ـ مَنْ جَعَلَ كُلَّ هَمِّهِ لآخِرَتِهِ ظَفِرَ بِالمَأْمُولِ

Being Independent Of Others

Being independent of others-الاِسْتِغناء عَن الخَلقِ

1 . Dispense with your dependency on anyone and you will be like him.

1 ـ اِسْتَغْنِ عَمَّنْ شِئْتَ وكُنْ (تَكُنْ) نَظِيرَهُ

2 . One who is independent from people, Allah, the Glorified, enriches him.

2 ـ مَنِ اسْتَغْنى عَنِ النّاسِ أغْناهُ اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ

3 . One who becomes independent becomes an honour for his people and one who is needy becomes contemptible to them.

3 ـ مَنِ اسْتَغْنى كَرُمَ عَلى أهْلِهِ ومَنِ افْتَقَرَ هانَ عَلَيْهِمْ

4 . That which you have no need for is better than that through which you gain independence.

4 ـ مَا اسْتَغْنَيْتَ عَنْهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا اسْتَغْنَيْتَ بِهِ

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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