Inspiration from Past & Present

February 13, 2014

The Shariah is God’s Justice and Mercy

الشَّرِيعَةُ عَدلُ اللهِ بَبنَ عِبَادِهِ ، وَ رَحمَتُهُ بَينَ خَلقِهِ ، وَ ظِلُّهُ بَينَ أَرضِهِ

The Law of God (Shariah) is God’s Justice between His servants, His Mercy over His Creation, and His Shadow on the earth.

—Ibn al-Qayyim [d. 751H/1350CE], Madarij al-Salikin

February 13, 2014

The Most Virtuous Actions Vary by Time and Circumstance

 إِنَّ أَفضَلَ العَمَل عَلَى مَرضَاةِ الرَّبِّ فِي كُلِّ وَقت بِمَا هُوَ مُقتَضَى ذَلِكَ الوَقت وَ وَظِيفَتُهُ

The best deed to achieve the pleasure of your Lord in every moment is that which is required and dictated by that time.

—Ibn al-Qayyim [d. 751H/1350CE], Madarij al-Salikin

December 5, 2013

Concern For Even Small Deeds

Kahmas b. al-Hasan said to me: “I committed a sin for which I have been crying in regret for forty years.” I asked: ‘What was it?’ He said: ‘A friend of mine visited me once so I bought for him a fish (to serve it to him). After he ate I stood up and took a piece of mud from the wall of my neighbor so he could use to wash his hand. This sin [taking the piece of mud without asking the permission of my neighbor] is what I have been crying about for forty years.”

Related by ‘Amaarah b. Zhaadhaan

 

Hilyah al-Awliya’ (6/211)

(Read on pg 47, Ibn al-Jawzi, Disturber of the Hearts. Dar As-Sunnah Publishers. Birmingham:2012.)

December 5, 2013

Freeing Slaves Seeking the Hereafter

‘Abdul Rahman b. Abban used to buy slaves then he would order his servants to clothe them and then to present them before him. He would then say: “You are all free for the sake of Allah as I seek your assistance [i.e. the reward I receive from freeing you for the sake of Allah] when undergoing the anguish of death.”

Related by Mus’ab b. ‘Uthman

 

Siyar al-A’lam al-Nubula’ (5/10)

(Read on pg 41, Ibn al-Jawzi, Disturber of the Hearts. Dar As-Sunnah Publishers. Birmingham:2012.)