"All humans are dead, except those who have knowledge and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry." -Imam Shaafi'ee A scholar once asked another greater than him in knowledge, “How much should I build?” He replied, “As much as shelters you from the sun and the rain.” He asked, “How much food should I eat?” He replied, “More than what keeps you hungry and less than what makes you full.” He asked, “How much should I wear?” He replied, “As the Messiah (Jesus) did.” He asked, “How much should I laugh?” He replied, “As much as appears on your face but does not make audible your voice.” He asked, “How much should I cry?” He replied, “Never tire from crying out of the fear of Allâh.” He asked, “How much should I hide my deeds?” He replied, “Until people think you had not done a good deed.” He asked, “How much should I make public my deeds?” He replied, “As much as will let the keen follow your example but not have the people talk about you.” Wahb said. “Everything has two ends and a middle. If you grab one end, the other will slant, but if you take the middle, both ends will balance. Stick to the balanced middle in all affairs.” Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` “Three things make me laugh and three things make me cry. I laugh at the one who is hopeful of the world yet death seeks him; the one who is neglectful (of his Lord) while he is not neglected (by Him); the one who laughs at the top of his voice, while he does not know whether he is pleasing his Lord or displeasing Him. Three things make me cry: parting from our beloved Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon hm) and his Companions; the terror of the onset of the pangs of death and the standing in front of the Lord of the Worlds while not knowing whether I will be turned towards the Fire or Paradise“. -Salmaan al-Farsi Reply With Quote 'Look forward and be hopeful, look backward and be thankful, look downward and be helpful, look up and be humble.' Jalaluddin Rumi "Your attention must be directed to your life in the present: the time between two times. If you waste it, then you have wasted the opportunity to be of the fortunate and saved ones. If you look after it, then you will achieve rest, delight, and ever-lasting bliss." [Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah] To admonish your brother in private is to advise him and improve him. But to admonish him publicly is to disgrace and shame him. - Imam Shafi (rahimullah) "Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does evil to you, and speak the truth although it be against yourself." --- Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) "The best of God’s servants are those who, when seen, remind one of God; and the worst of God’s servants are those who carry tales about to do mischief and separate friends, and seek for the defects of the good." --- Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) "All God's creatures are His family; and he or she is the most beloved of God who tries to do most good to God's creatures." --- Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) "The stronger the faith you have the more difficult the tests/trials you will face, but if you see the hidden blessings of the difficult trials then you have the potential to increase your wisdom, increase your faith and develop your personal character so be happy when Allah (swt) tests you with difficulties as He has given you an opportunity to get closer to Him through the trials. Allah is the Most Wise." "If you do something bad, follow it by doing something good.” “If your good deeds please you and your bad deeds upset you, then you are a mu’min (believer).” “If Allaah sends you some provision without you looking forward to it or asking others for it, then take it.” “If you ask Allaah for anything, then ask Him for al-Firdaws (the highest level of Paradise).” It is better to err in forgiving than to err in punishment. If you want to count the faults of anyone else, count your own faults instead. The trouble with beauty is feelings of superiority. The trouble with generosity is extravagance. The trouble with noble descent is pride. The trouble with knowledge is forgetfulness. “Show mercy towards those who are on earth so that the One Who is in heaven will show mercy to you.”