24 November 2011

Some beautiful sayings of Sufyan Ath-Thauree

"Were certainty of faith to become firmly fixed in the hearts of people, each person would become excitedly hopeful or extremely fearful - hopeful for (rewards from) Allah, the Possessor of might and majesty, or fearful of the Hellfire".

"True certainty of faith means not to accuse your Lord of any of the things that befall you."

"The only situation which I feel is analogous to the departure of a believer from this world is the departure of a baby from its mother’s womb, from the gloominess (inside of its mother’s womb) to the spirit (and freshness) of the world."

A man said to Sufyaan, “Advice me.” Sufyaan said, “Work for this world in proportion to the time you will stay in it (which does not amount to many years). And work for the Hereafter in proportion to the time you will stay in it (for eternity) - and peace (be upon you).”

“In our view, a person does not have an understanding of the religion until he thinks of a hardship as a blessing, and comfort and luxury as being a hardship.”

“Zuhd (desiring little from this world because of one’s preoccupation with the Hereafter) means not having long-term hopes for this world, and it does not mean eating coarse food and wearing a tattered robe.”

“Verily, the examples of this world are a loaf of bread over which some honey is spread: a fly passes over it and has its wing cut off (being caught in the stickiness of the honey); and a loaf of dry bread: a fly passes over it and is unable to take anything from it.”

“Evil deeds are the disease, and the scholars are the cure. Now, if scholars become corrupt, who will cure the disease?”

“A scholar is like a doctor: He places his medicine over the area that is affected by the disease.”

“Love people in proportion to the (good) deeds they perform. Become humble and flexible when you are invited to perform a good deed, and become rigid and defiant when you are invited to commit a sin”

 “If you want to know the true value of this world, look at the value (and character) of those people who have it (i.e., of those people who are rich and prosperous).”

“The following three are from patience: do not speak about a calamity that has befallen you, do not speak about your pain; and do not praise yourself”.

“Be happy with religion and forsake the life of kings, just as kings are happy with life and have forsaken the religion”.

“If you do not travel with the provision of piety,
And if you meet after death one who did have the provision a plenty,
You will regret that you had not been like him,
And that you did not save up (for the hereafter) as he did.”

“Be happy with religion and forsake the life of kings, just as kings are happy with life and have forsaken the religion”.

“If someone invites you (to meet with him) and you fear that he will corrupt your heart and your religion, then do not answer him”.

If you see a recite (of the Quran) always seeking refuge at the gate of the ruler (desiring financial favors from them), know that he is a thief. And if you see him always seeking refuge with rich people , know that he is a show-off”.

"Beware of filling your stomachs for doing so hardens your heart. And suppress your anger. And do not laugh too much, for laughing a great deal kills the heart".

"The vision of one's eyes is meant for this world, and the vision of one's heart is meant for the hereafter. When a man looks with his eyes he benefits naught. It is when he looks with his heart that he benefits". 

“Live moderately. Beware of imitating arrogant people. And in your food, drink, clothing, and means of conveyance, seek out that which is not specifically purchased by profligate and extravagant spenders. And when you seek out advice, let the people you go for advice, be the people of piety – people who fear Allah (the Possessor of might and majesty) and who are trustworthy.”

Source: The biography of Sufyaan Ath-Thauree by Salaahu-Deen ibn 'Alee ibn 'Abdul-Maujood

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