Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Noble -Minded And Munificent

The noble-minded and the munificent-الكريم

1 . The noble-minded person is one who keeps away from the forbidden and steers clear of [disgraceful] flaws.

1 ـ اَلْكَرِيمُ مَنْ تَجَنَّبَ المَحارِمَ وتَنَزَّهَ عَنِ العُيُوبِ

2 . The munificent person is one who brings [and gives away] whatever is available.

2 ـ اَلْكَرِيمُ مَنْ جاءَ بِالمَوْجُودِ

3 . A noble-minded person is one who repays evil with good.

3 ـ اَلْكَرِيمُ مَن جازَى الإسائَةَ بِالإحْسانِ

4 . A noble-minded person is repulsed by that which the wicked take pride in.

4 ـ اَلْكَرِيمُ يَزْدَجِرُ عَمّا يَفْتَخِرُ بِهِ اللَئِيمُ

5 . The munificent one cuts off his favour when he is approached harshly and is soft [and kind] when he is entreated [politely]

5 ـ اَلْكَرِيمُ يَجْفُو إذا عُنِّفَ، ويَلِينُ إذَا اسْتُعْطِفَ

6 . When a noble-minded person is able [to take revenge] he forgives, and when he gains possession [of something] he grants generously, and when he is asked [for something] he accords [it].

6 ـ اَلْكَريمُ إذا قَدَرَ صَفَحَ، وإذا مَلَكَ سَمَحَ، وإذا سُئِلَ أنْجَحَ

7 . A noble-minded person rejects disgrace and honours his neighbour.

7 ـ اَلكَريمُ يَأبَى العارَ، ويُكْرِمُ الجارَ

8 . A noble-minded person considers his virtuous actions as a debt that he has to repay.

8 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يَرى مَكارِمَ أفْعالِهِ دَيْناً عَلَيْهِ يَقْضيهِ

9 . The noble-minded person raises himself above [the expectation of] rewards in everything good that he does.

9 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يَرْفَعُ نَفْسَهُ في كُلِّ ما أسْداهُ عَنْ حُسْنِ المُجازاتِ

10 . When a noble-minded person needs you he excuses you [from helping him] and when you need him he suffices you.

10 ـ اَلْكَريمُ إذَا احْتاجَ إلَيْكَ أعْفاكَ، وإذَا احْتَجْتَ إلَيْهِ كَفاكَ

11 . The noble-minded person forgives despite having the power [to exact revenge], is just in his rule, restrains his harm [from others] and bestows [favours] generously.

11 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يَعْفُو مَعَ القُدْرَةِ، ويَعْدِلُ فِي الإمْرَةِ، ويَكُفُّ إسائَتَهُ وَيَبْذُلُ إحْسانَهُ

12 . The noble-minded person is felicitous and worthy of reward in the sight of Allah, and is loved and venerated in the sight of the people.

12 ـ اَلْكَريمُ عِنْدَ اللّهِ مَحْبُورٌ مُثابٌ، وعِنْدَ النّاسِ مَحْبُوبٌ مُهابٌ

13 . A noble-minded person is one who safeguards his honour with his wealth while the wicked person is one safeguards his wealth by [sacrificing] his honour.

13 ـ اَلْكَريمُ مَنْ صانَ عِرْضَهُ بِمالِهِ، واللَئِيمُ مَنْ صانَ مالَهُ بِعِرْضِهِ

14 . Be cautious of the noble-minded person when you offend him, and the forbearing one when you injure him, and the courageous one when you torment him.

14 ـ إحْذَرِ الكَريمَ إذا أهَنْـتَهُ، والحَليمَ إذا جَرَحْتَهُ، والشُّجاعَ إذا أوْجَعْتَهُ

15 . Be cautious of the assault of the noble-minded person when he is hungry and the insolence of the wicked one when he is satiated.

15 ـ اِحْذَرُوا صَوْلَةَ الكَريمِ إذا جاعَ، وأشَرَ اللَّئيمِ إذا شَبَعَ

16 . Be cautious of the authority of the noble-minded person when he is humiliated and the vehemence of the wicked one when he is elevated [to a position of power].

16 ـ اِحْذَرُوا سَطْوَةَ الكَريمِ إذا وُضِعَ، وسَوْرَةَ اللَّئِيمِ إذا رُفِعَ

17 . The noble-minded person feigns inattention and pretends to be deceived.

17 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يَتَغافَلُ ويَنْخَدِعُ

18 . Noble-minded people have the most patient souls.

18 ـ اَلكِرامُ أصْبَرُ أنْفُساً

19 . The noble-minded person makes [his] ownership righteous.

19 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يُجْمِلُ المَلَكَةَ

20 . A noble-minded person is one who initiates his act of kindness [before it is requested of him].

20 ـ اَلْكَريمُ مَنْ بَدَأَ بِإحْسانِهِ

21 . The noble-minded person shows gratitude for little whereas the wicked one is ungrateful for much.

21 ـ اَلْكَريمُ يَشْكُرُ القَليلَ، واللَّئيمُ يَكْفُرُ الجَزيلَ

22 . The munificent person is one whose giving precedes his being asked.

22 ـ اَلْكَريمُ مَنْ سَبَقَ نَوالُهُ سُؤالَهُ

23 . When the noble-minded person promises [something], he keeps his promise and when he threatens [to punish], he forgives.

23 ـ اَلْكَريمُ إذا وَعَدَ وَفى، وإذا تَوَعَّدَ عَفى

24 . When the munificent person is well-to-do, he fulfils the needs [of others] and when he faces hard times, he lightens the burden of others [by not seeking their assistance].

24 ـ اَلْكَريمُ إذا أيْسَرَ أسْعَفَ، وإذا أعْسَرَ خَفَّفَ

25 . When the core of a man is noble, [both] his absence and presence are [considered] noble.

25 ـ إذا كَرُمَ أصْلُ الرَّجُلِ كَرُمَ مَغيبُهُ ومَحْضَرُهُ

26 . The authority of a noble-minded person manifests his positive attributes.

26 ـ دَوْلَةُ الكَريمِ تُظْهِرُ مَناقِبَهُ

27 . The possessor of noble-mindedness has beautiful traits, grants favours [to others] and keeps ties with near relatives.

27 ـ ذُوالكَرَمِ جَمِيلُ الشِّيَمِ، مُسْد لِلنِّعَمِ، وَصُولٌ لِلرَّحِمِ

28 . The success of a noble-minded person brings deliverance.

28 ـ ظَفَرُ الكَريمُ يُنْجي

29 . The success of noble-minded people is [through] forgiveness and benevolence.

29 ـ ظَفَرُ الكِرامِ عَفْوٌ وإحْسانٌ

30 . The shadow of noble-minded people is vast and pleasant.

30 ـ ظِلُّ الكِرامِ رَغَدٌ هَنِيئٌ

31 . In times of [their] altruism, the excellence of the noble-minded people become manifest.

31 ـ عِنْدَ الإيثارِ عَلَى النَّفْسِ تَتَبَيَّنُ جَواهِرُ الكُرَماءِ

32 . Generosity is the habit of the noble-minded people.

32 ـ عادَةُ الكِرامِ اَلجُودُ

33 . Doing good to others is the habit of noble-minded people.

33 ـ عادَةُ الكِرامِ حُسْنُ الصَّنيعَةِ

34 . Be cautious of the noble-minded person if you offend him, and of the wicked one if you honour him and of the forbearing one if you force him into a difficult position.

34 ـ كُنْ مِنَ الكَريمِ عَلى حَذَر إنْ أهَنْـتَهُ، ومِنَ اللَّئيمِ إنْ أكْرَمْتَهُ،وَ مِنَ الحَليمِ إنْ أحْرَجْتَهُ

35 . The merit of initiating good deeds and performing generous acts belongs to the noble-minded people.

35 ـ لِلْكِرامِ فَضيلَةُ المُبادَرَةِ إلى فِعْلِ المَعْرُوفِ، وإسْداءِ الصَّنايِـعِ

36 . The one who has honoured you has made you uncomfortable if you are noble-minded and the one who has offended you has made you comfortable if you are forbearing.

36 ـ لَقَدْ أتْعَبَكَ مَنْ أكْرَمَكَ إنْ كُنْتَ كَريماً، ولَقَدْ أراحَكَ مَنْ أهانَكَ إنْ كُنْتَ حَليماً

37 . Indeed I am happier to [get to] know a noble-minded person than to acquire an expensive and precious jewel.

37 ـ لأنَا أشَدُّ اِغْتِباطاً بِمَعْرِفَةِ الكَريمِ مِنْ إمْساكي عَلَى الجَوْهَرِ النَّفيسِ الغالِي الثَّمَنِ

38 . It is not the habit of noble-minded people to delay bounties.

38 ـ لَيْسَ مِنْ عادَةِ الكِرامِ تَأْخِيرُ الإنْعامِ

39 . Being hasty in taking revenge is not from the traits of noble-minded people.

39 ـ لَيْسَ مِنْ شِيَمِ الكِرامِ تَعْجيلُ الاِنْتِقامِ

40 . Remaining alongside a noble-minded person in humiliation is better than accompanying the wicked in order to gain favour.

40 ـ لُزُومُ الكَريمِ عَلَى الهَوانِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صُحْبَةِ اللَّئيمِ عَلَى الإحْسانِ

41 . The pleasure of the noble-minded people is in feeding [others] whereas the pleasure of the wicked people is in eating [themselves].

41 ـ لَذَّةُ الكِرامِ فيِ الإطْعامِ ولَذَّةُ اللِّئامِ فيِ الطَّعامِ

42 . One of the most honourable actions of the noble-minded person is feigning inattention towards that which he knows.

42 ـ مِنْ أشْرَفِ أفْعالِ الكَريمِ تَغافُلُهُ عَمّا يَعْلَمُ

43 . Giving generously is from the traits of the munificent.

43 ـ مِنْ شِيَمِ الكِرامِ بَذْلُ النَّدى

44 . The munificent person is never deserted.

44 ـ ما أوْحَشَ كَريمٌ

45 . The propensity of a noble-minded person is always towards the [positive] traits of his forefathers.

45 ـ مَنْـزَعُ الكَريمِ أبَداً إلى شِيَمِ آبائِهِ

46 . The happiness of noble-minded people is in giving generously [to others] while the joy of the wicked is in evil retribution.

46 ـ مَسَرَّةُ الكِرامِ في بَذْلِ العَطاءِ، ومَسَرَّةُ اللِّئامِ في سُوءِ الجَزاءِ

47 . A high-minded person is never spiteful.

47 ـ لايَكُونُ الكَريمُ حَقُوداً

48 . None deserves to be called munificent except the one who gives before he is asked.

48 ـ لايَسْتَحِقُّ اسْمَ الكَرَمِ إلاّ مَنْ بَدَأَ بِنَوالِهِ قَبْلَ سُؤالِهِ

49 . A person does not ennoble himself until he belittles his wealth.

49 ـ لايُكْرِمُ المَرْءُ نَفْسَهُ حَتّى يُهينَ مالَهُ

50 . The munificent person is one who bestows his favours generously [to others].

50 ـ اَلْكَريمُ مَنْ بَذَلَ إحْسانَهُ

51 . It is not from the traits of a noble-minded person to wear the cloak of disgrace.

51 ـ لَيْسَ مِنْ شِيَمِ الكَريمِ إدْراعُ العارِ

52 . The noble-minded one is bright whereas the wicked one is immature.

52 ـ اَلْكَريمُ أبْلَجُ، اَللََّئيمُ مُلَهْوَجٌ

High Esteem

High-esteem-الكرامة

1 . One who is not set aright by high esteem is put right by indignity.

1 ـ مَنْ لَمْ تُقَوِّمْهُ الكَرامَةُ قَوَّمَتْهُ الإهانَةُ

2 . One who is not reformed by high esteem is reformed by indignity.

2 ـ مَنْ لَمْ تُصْلِحْهُ الكَرامَةُ أصْلَحَتْهُ الإهانَةُ

3 . It is a right upon one whose esteem has been increased by Allah that he should [in turn] be more respectful to the people.

3 ـ مَنْ زادَهُ اللّهُ كَرامَةً فَحَقيقٌ بِه أنْ يَزيدَ النّاسَ إكْراماً

4 . One who is raised by disgrace is made vain by high esteem.

4 ـ مَنْ رَبّاهُ الهَوانُ أبْطَـرَتْهُ الكَرامَةُ

Noble Traits & Deeds

Noble traits and deeds-المكارم

1 . When you desire to acquire noble traits then keep away from the forbidden.

1 ـ إذا رَغِبْتَ فِي المَكارِمِ فَاجْتَنِبِ المَحارِمَ

2 . Rush towards noble deeds, make haste in bearing the liabilities [of others] and hurry to fulfil the needs of the one who is unaware [of your assistance], your reward will thus be good in both abodes, and you will acquire a great prize from Allah.

2 ـ تَبادَرُوا المَكارِمَ، وسارِعُوا إلى تَحَمُّلِ المَغارِمِ، واسْعَوْا في حاجَةِ مَنْ هُوَ نائِمٌ، يَحْسُنْ لَكُمْ فِي الدّارَيْنِ الجَزاءُ،وَ تَنالُوا مِنَ اللّهِ عَظيمَ الحَباءِ

3 . Work hard to acquire noble traits and bear the burden of [others’] liabilities, [as a result] you will achieve the greatest gains.

3 ـ ثابِرُوا عََلَى اقْتِناءِ المَكارِمِ، وتَحَمَّلُوا أعْباءَ المَغارِمِ، تُحْرِزُوا قَصَباتِ المَغانِمِ

4 . The best of noble traits is altruism.

4 ـ خَيْرُ المَكارِمِ الإيثارُ

5 . End your day’s work with noble deeds and begin the night by fulfilling the needs of the one who is asleep [and unaware of your assistance].

5 ـ رُوحُوا فِي المَكارِمِ،وَ ادَّلِجُوا في حاجَةِ مَنْ هُوَ نائِمٌ

6 . Acquire noble traits and do good to the people, for indeed these two things protect one from falling into difficulties and lead to loftiness.

6 ـ عَلَيْكَ بِمَكارِمِ الخِلالِ واصْطِناعِ الرِّجالِ فَإنَّهُما يَقِيانِ مَصارِعَ السَّوْءِ ويُوجِبانِ الجَلالَةَ

7 . The pinnacle of noble traits is altruism.

7 ـ غايَةُ المَكارِمِ اَلإيثارُ

8 . From the best noble deeds is bearing the liabilities [and debts of others] and being hospitable to one’s guests.

8 ـ مِنْ أفْضَلِ المَكارِمِ تَحَمُّلُ المَغارِمِ، وإقْراءُ الضُّيُوفِ

9 . One of the best noble deeds is spreading goodness [and virtue].

9 ـ مِنْ أحْسَنِ المَكارِمِ بَثُّ المَعْرُوفِ

10 . One of the best noble deeds is keeping away from the forbidden.

10 ـ مِـنْ أحْسَنِ المَكارِمِ تَجَنُّبُ المَحارِمِ

11 . Noble traits [and deeds] are not complete except with chastity and self-sacrifice.

11 ـ لاتَكْمُلُ المَكارِمُ إلاّ بِالعَفافِ والإيثارِ

12 . Noble traits are [attained] by [bearing] that which is disliked.

12 ـ اَلمَكارِمُ بِالمَكارِهِ

The Disliked

The disliked-المكروه

1 . The disliked act which has a praiseworthy result is better than the action which one loves [but] whose outcome is dispraised.

1 ـ مَكْرُوهٌ تُحْمَدُ عاقِبَتُهُ، خَيْرٌ مِنْ مَحْبُوب تُذَمُّ مَغَبَّتُهُ

Earnings

Earnings-المكاسب وكسب الأموال

1 . The purest of earnings is lawful earning.

1 ـ أزْكَى الْمَكاسِبِ كَسْبُ الحَلالِ

2 . The worst kind of earning is the unlawful [earning].

2 ـ بِئْسَ الْكَسْبُ الحَرامُ

3 . Embarking on the terrifying [and surmounting one’s fears] brings wealth.

3 ـ رُكُوبُ الأهْوالِ يَكْسِبُ الأمْوالَ

4 . One who earns by unlawful means accumulates sins.

4 ـ مَنِ اكْتَسَبَ حَراماً اِحْتَقَبَ آثاماً

Laziness And The Lazy

Laziness and the lazy-الكسل والكسلان

1 . One who is always lazy, his hopes get dashed.

1 ـ مَنْ دامَ كَسَلُهُ خابَ أمَلُهُ

2 . Do not rely on a lazy person in your affairs.

2 ـ لاتَتَّكِلْ في أُمُورِكَ عَلى كَسْلان

Revealing & Removing Distress

Revealing and removing distress-كشف الضُرِّ

1 . One who reveals his distress to others has accepted humiliation.

1 ـ رَضِيَ بِالذُّلِّ مَنْ كَشَفَ ضُرَّهُ لِغَيْرِهِ

2 . No action is more beloved to Allah, the Most High, than for a person to remove the distress [and adversity] from another person.

2 ـ ما مِنْ عَمَل أحَبَّ إلَى اللّهِ تَعالى مِنْ ضُرّ يَكْشِفُهُ رَجْلٌ عَنْ رَجُل

Suppressing Anger

Suppressing anger-الكَظم والكاظم

1 . The suppressor of anger is one who extirpates his grudges.

1 ـ اَلْكاظِمُ مَنْ أماتَ أضْغانَهُ

2 . Suppress [your] anger and you will increase in forbearance.

2 ـ اِكْظِمِ الغَيْظَ تَزْدَدْ حِلْماً

3 . Suppression [of anger] is the fruit of forbearance.

3 ـ اَلكَظْمُ ثَمَرَةُ الحِلْمِ

4 . The cornerstone of forbearance is suppression [of anger].

4 ـ رَأْسُ الحِلْمِ الكَظْمُ

5 . Blessed is the one who suppresses his anger and does not let it loose, and [who] disobeys the command of his [carnal] soul and thus is not destroyed by it.

5 ـ طُوْبى لِمَنْ كَظَمَ غَيْظَهُ ولَمْ يُطْلِقْهُ، وعَصى أمْرَ نَفْسِهِ فَلَمْ يُهْلِكْهُ

6 . How many a time is anger suppressed out of the fear of that which is more severe than it.

6 ـ كَمْ مِنْ غَيظ تُجُرِّعَ مَخافَةَ ما هُوَ أشَدُّ مِنْهُ

7 . Whoever suppresses his anger, his forbearance becomes complete.

7 ـ مَنْ كَظَمَ غَيْظَهُ كَمُلَ حِلْمُهُ

8 . Suppress [your] rage when you are angry and overlook [the fault of others] despite having authority, [in this way] the outcome will be in your favour.

8 ـ اِكْظَمِ الغَيْظَ عِنْدَ الغَضَبِ وتَجاوَزْ مَعَ الدَّوْلَةِ تَكُنْ لَكَ العاقِبَةُ

Ingratitude

Ingratitude-كفران النعمة والكفور

1 . Doing good to an ingrate is from the greatest of crimes.

1 ـ اِصْطِناعُ الكَفُورِ مِنْ أعْظَمِ الجُرْمِ

2 . Being ungrateful for a blessing causes it to be taken away and being thankful for it causes it to last.

2 ـ كُفْرُ النِّعْمَةِ مُزيلُها وشُكْرُها مُسْتَديمُها

3 . Ingratitude for blessings makes one stumble and strips away the blessings.

3 ـ كُفْرانُ النِّعَـمِ يُزِلُّ القَدَمَ ويَسْلُبُ النِّعَمَ

4 . Ungratefulness for a blessing is vileness, and accompanying a fool is [a cause of] misfortune.

4 ـ كُفْرُالنِّعْمَةِ لُؤْمٌ، وصُحْبَةُ الأحْمَقِ شُؤْمٌ

5 . Being ungrateful for a blessing is the cause of its removal.

5 ـ كُفْرُ النِّعْمَةِ مُزيلُها

6 . The one who is unthankful for blessings is ungrateful for the bounty of Allah.

6 ـ كافِرُ النِّعْمَةِ كافِرُ فَضْلِ اللّهِ

7 . Ingratitude for blessings is the thing that brings [divine] retribution.

7 ـ كُفْرُ النِّعَمِ مَجْلَبَةٌ لِحُلُولِ النِّقَمِ

8 . The one who is ungrateful for blessings is dispraised in the sight of the Creator and the creation.

8 ـ كافِرُ النِّعْمَةِ مَذْمُومٌ عِنْدَ الخالِقِ والخَلائِقِ

9 . Ingratitude for blessings is not a success [rather it is a failure].

9 ـ لَيْسَ مِنَ التَّوْفيقِ كُفْرانُ النِّـعَمِ

10 . There is no blessing with ingratitude.

10 ـ لانِعْمَةَ مََعَ كُفْر

11 . Verily ingratitude for blessings is vileness and accompanying the ignorant is [a cause of] misfortune.

11 ـ إنَّ كُفْرَ النِّعْمَةِ لُؤْمٌ ومُصاحَبَةَ الجاهِلِ شُؤْمٌ

12 . Blessings are stripped away by ingratitude.

12 ـ اَلنِّـعَمُ يَسْلُبُهَا الْكُفْرانُ

13 . The bane of blessings is ingratitude.

13 ـ آفَةُ النِّـعَمِ الكُفْرانُ

14 . The cause of alteration [and removal] of blessings is ingratitude.

14 ـ سَبَبُ تَحَوُّلِ النِّـعَمِ الكُفْرُ

15 . In ungratefulness for blessings is [the cause of] its removal.

15 ـ في كُفْرِ النِّـعَمِ زَوالُها

16 . Whoever is ungrateful for blessings, [divine] retribution comes upon him.

16 ـ مَنْ كَفَرَ النِّـعَمَ حَلَّتْ بِهِ النِّقَمُ

The Disbeliever

The disbeliever-الكافِر

1 . The disbeliever is a vile deceiver, perfidious, deluded by his ignorance and duped.

1 ـ اَلْكافِرُ خَبٌّ لَئِيمٌ،خَؤُنٌ، مَغْرُورٌ بِجَهْلِهِ، مَغْبُونٌ

2 . For the disbeliever, this world is his Paradise, the transient is what he strives for, death is [the cause of] his wretchedness and hellfire is his final end.

2 ـ اَلكافِرُ اَلدُّنيا جَنَّـتُهُ، والعاجِلَةُ هِمَتُّهُ، والمَوْتُ شَقاوَتُهُ، والنّارُ غايَتُهُ

3 . The disbeliever is an immoral, ignorant person.

3 ـ اَلْكافِرُ فاجِرٌ جاهِلٌ

4 . The disbeliever is ill-tempered and has an evil manner.

4 ـ اَلْكافِرُ شَرِسُ الخَليقَةِ، سَـيِّيءُ الطَّريقَةِ

5 . The disbeliever is a misguiding deceiver, hard-hearted, [and] perfidious.

5 ـ اَلْكافِرُ خَبٌّ، ضَبٌّ، جاف، خائِنٌ

6 . The final end of the disbeliever is hellfire.

6 ـ غايَةُ الكافِرِ النّارُ

7 . The disbeliever did not disbelieve until he became ignorant.

7 ـ ما كَفَرَ الكافِرُ حَتّى جَهِلَ

8 . The concern of the disbeliever is for his [life in this] world, his efforts are for the transient [pleasures] and his goal is [fulfilling] his lust.

8 ـ هَمُّ الكافِرِ لِدُنْياهُ، وسَعْيُهُ لِعاجِلَتِهِ، وغايَتُهُ شَهْوَتُهُ

Disbelief

Disbelief-الكفر

1 . Disbelief is disappointment [and failure].1

1 ـ اَلْكُفْرُ خِذْلانٌ

2 . Counter disbelief with faith.

2 ـ ضادُّوا الكُفْرَ بِالإيمانِ

3 . Disbelief is loss.

3 ـ اَلكُفْرُ مَغْرَمٌ

Notes

1. Or: Disbelief is abandonment [by Allah].

Restraint

Restraint-الكفّ

1 . Restraining yourself from that which others possess is one of the two generosities.

1 ـ اَلْكَفُّ عَمّا في أيْدِي النّاسِ أحَدُ السَّخائَيْنِ

3 . Verily restraint during the confusion of misguidance is better than embarking on terrors.

2 ـ إنَّ الكَفَّ عِنْدَ حَيْرَةِ الضَّلالِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ رُكُوبِ الأهْوالِ

4 . There is no piety like self-restraint.

3 ـ لاوَرَعَ كَالكَفِّ

Sufficiency

Sufficiency-الكفاف

1 . Being pleased with what is sufficient is better than striving for lavishness.

1 ـ اَلرِّضا بِالكَفافِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّعْيِ فِي الإسْرافِ

2 . Being pleased with what suffices leads to virtue.

2 ـ اَلرِّضا بِالكَفافِ يُؤَدّي إلَى العَفافِ

3 . Blessed is the one who adorns himself with virtue and is satisfied with what suffices.

3 ـ طُوبى لِمَنْ تَحَلّى بِالعَفافِ ورَضِيَ بِالكَفافِ

4 . One who is content with that which suffices is led by it towards virtue.

4 ـ مَنِ اقْتَنَعَ بِالكَفافِ أدّاهُ إلَى العَفافِ

5 . One who limits himself to what suffices hastens comfort and lives in an abode of ease.

5 ـ مَنِ اقْتَصَرَ عَلَى الكَفافِ تَعَجَّلَ الرّاحَةَ وتَـبَوَّءَ خَفْضَ الدَّعَةِ

6 . No one can dispense with the need to seek his sustenance and that which he requires of provisions.

6 ـ لا غِنى بِأحَد مِنَ الاِرْتيادِ، وقَدْرِ بَلاغِهِ مِنَ الزّادِ

Recompense

Recompense-المكافات

1 . Extend your hand in recompense to the one who has done good to you, and if you are unable [to do this] then the very least you should do is thank him.

1 ـ أطِلْ يَدَكَ في مُكافاةِ مَنْ أحْسَنَ إلَيْكَ، فَإنْ لَمْ تَقْدِرْ فَلا أقَلَّ مِنْ أنْ تَشْكُرَهُ

2 . Recompense is liberation.

2 ـ اَلمُكافاةُ عِتْقٌ

3 . One who endeavours to recompense the good that is done to him has indeed recompensed it.

3 ـ مَنْ هَمَّ أنْ يُكافِيَ عَلى مَعْرُوف فَقَدْ كافى

4 . One who does not recompense offence with favour is not from the noble-minded ones.

4 ـ مَنْ لَمْ يُجازِ الإساءَةَ بِالإحْسانِ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ الكِرامِ

5 . Recompensing the wrongdoer with favour is from the perfection of faith.

5 ـ مِنْ كَمالِ الإيمانِ مُكافاةُ المُسيءِ بِالإحْسانِ

6 . The most severely punished of all people is one who recompenses good with evil.

6 ـ أشَدُّ النّاسِ عُقُوبَةً رَجُلٌ كافَئَ الإحْسانَ بِالإساءَةِ

7 . When your hand is short and unable to recompense [the one who does good to you] then lengthen your speech with gratitude.

7 ـ إذا قَصُرَتْ يَدُكَ عَنِ المُكافاةِ فَأطِلْ لِسانَكَ بِالشُّكْرِ

8 . Return the stone from whence it came to you, for indeed evil is not repulsed except by evil.1

8 ـ رُدَّ الحَجَرَ مِنْ حَيثُ جاءَكَ، فَإنَّهُ لايُرَدُّ الشَّرُّ إلاّ بِالشَّرِّ

Notes

1. This is in situations where forgiveness and patience may bring greater harm.

Competence

Competence-الكفاية

1 . One whose competence is good is loved by his sovereign.

1 ـ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ كِفايَتُهُ أحَبَّهُ سُلْطانُهُ

2 . One who is raised [to a high rank] without competence is dropped without wrongdoing.

2 ـ مَنْ رُفِعَ بِلا كِفايَة وُضِعَ بِلا جِنايَة

3 . One whose competence is good deserves [to be given] authority.

3 ـ مَنْ أحْسَنَ الكِفايَةَ اِسْتَحَقَّ الوِلايَةَ

Duty

Duty-التكليف

1 . One who imposes upon you a duty that you are unable to bear has indeed asked you to disobey him.

1 ـ مَنْ كَلَّفَكَ ما لاتُطيقُ فَقَدْ أفْتاكَ في عِصْيانِهِ

2 . Affectation is from the morals of the hypocrites.

2 ـ اَلتَّكَلُّفُ مِنْ أخْلاقِ المُنافِقينَ

3 . Verily Allah, the Glorified, commanded His servants by choice and forbade them by warning. He made duties easy and did not impose difficult duties. For a little He gave plenty. He is not disobeyed out of defeat nor is He obeyed by force. He did not send prophets for sport, nor did He reveal the Book to the creation for amusement. He did not create the Heavens and the earth in vain: That is a conjecture of the faithless. So woe to the faithless for the Fire.1

3 ـ إنَّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ أمَرَ عِبادَهُ تَخْييراً، وَنَهاهُمْ تَحْذيراً، وكَلَّفَ يَسيراً، ولَمْ يُكَلِّفْ عَسيراً، وأعْطَى عَلىَ القَليلِ كَثيراً، ولَمْ يُعْصَ مَغْلُوباً، ولَمْ يُطَعْ مُكْرَهاً،وَ لَمْ يُرْسِلِ الأنْبِياءَ لَعِباً، ولَمْ يُنْزِلِ الكِتابَ عَبَثاً، وما خَلَقَ السَّماواتِ والأرْضَ وما بَيْنَهُما باطِلاً، ذلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذينَ كَفَرُوا فَوَيْلٌ لِلَّذينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النّارِ

Notes

1. Q38:27

The Speaker

The speaker-المتكلّم

1 . For every speaker there are times [and conditions where he is able to speak].

1 ـ لِلْمُتَكَلِّمِ أوْقاتٌ

2 . You have started flying while still a nestling and growling before coming of age.

2 ـ لَقَدْ طِرْتَ شَكيراً، وَهَدَرْتَ صَقْباً(سَقْباً ).

The Ideal One

The ideal one-الكامل

1 . The ideal [person] is one whose seriousness prevails over his jesting [and frivolity].

1 ـ اَلْكامِلُ مَنْ غَلَبَ جِدُّهُ هَزْلَهُ

Perfection

Perfection-الكمال

1 . Perfection is in three things: Patience in calamities, piety in pursuits and fulfilling the needs of the seeker.

1 ـ اَلْكَمالُ في ثَلاث، اَلصَّبْرُ عَلَى النَّوائِبِ، والتَّوَرُّعُ فِي المَطالِبِ، وَإسْعافُ الطّالِبِ

2 . Perfection [of what is desired] is non-existent in this world.

2 ـ اَلْكَمالُ فِي الدُّنيا مَفْقُودٌ

3 . You will never attain perfection until you rise above imperfection.

3 ـ لَنْ تُدْرِكَ الكَمالَ حَتّى تَرْقى عَنِ النَّقْصِ

4 . From the perfection of a human being and the abundance of his merit is his own feeling of imperfection [in himself].

4 ـ مِنْ كَمالِ الإنْسانِ ووُفُورِ فَضْلِهِ اِسْتِشْعارُهُ بِنَفْسِهِ النُّقْصانَ