Hadith

Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib [a]

1968 sayings · page 24 of 50

1. O merchants! Start off by seeking a good outcome from Allah, seek the blessing in easy conduct, draw near to customers, beautify yourselves with clemency, refrain from oaths, abandon lies, avoid wronging, be fair to those being wronged, stay away from usury, and "Observe fully the measure and the balance, with justice, and do not cheat the people of their goods, and do not act wickedly on the earth, causing corruption

   Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 54, no. 100; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 194 · permalink

2. Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) once admonished a man who was selling something, 'I heard the Prophet (SAWA) saying, 'Leniency is one way to profit.'

   Wasael al-Shi`aah, v. 12, p. 288, no. 4; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 195 · permalink

3. The downfall of the strong man is underestimating the foe.

   Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3939; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 134 · permalink

4. O brokers! Curb your use of oaths, for they promote the commodity while obliterating the profit.

   al-Kafi, v. 5, p. 162, no. 2; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 198 · permalink

5. There is no [goods for] trade like good deeds, and no profit like the [divine] reward.

   Bihar al-Anwar, v. 69, p. 409, no. 122; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 199 · permalink

6. The most profiting, among people, is the one who buys the Hereafter at the expense of this world.

   Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3076; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 199 · permalink

7. Whoever sells himself for [a price] less than Paradise, his ordeal is indeed severe.

   Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3474; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 199 · permalink

8. Whoever takes the obedience of Allah as a commodity will see profits without even trading.

   Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8864; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 199 · permalink

9. Whoever seeks to eat by sacrificing his religion will only have from his religion as much as he eats.

   Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 223; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 200 · permalink

10. Whoever seeks this world through the work of the Hereafter will have his goal set at a greater distance.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8901; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 200 · permalink

11. Performing common acts of courtesy, bringing solace to a grief-stricken person, and being hospitable to guests is the instrument of leadership.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6585; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 200 · permalink

12. Acts of courtesy are treasures for eternity.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 980; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 200 · permalink

13. The harm of poverty is more praiseworthy than the exuberance of wealth

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5904; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 705 · permalink

14. Be openhanded with whatever you find, and you will be commended

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4716; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 650 · permalink

15. Man's open-handedness endears him to his opponents, and his stinginess makes him hated even by his children

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4729; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 650 · permalink

16. Open-handedness is of the nobility of [man's] nature

    Kitab al-Irshad, v. 1, p. 303; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 650 · permalink

17. Open-handedness is a present honour.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 330; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 650 · permalink

18. He who obstinately holds his own opinion is ruined, and he who consults other people shares in their collective understanding.

    Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 161; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 652 · permalink

19. Only an ignorant person is proud of his own opinion.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9471; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 652 · permalink

20. Opportunity passes away quickly the way clouds pass

    Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 21; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

21. Opportunity is quick to pass on, and slow to come back

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2019; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

22. Opportunity is a treasure

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 194; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

23. Losing an opportunity is distressful.

    Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 118; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

24. Matters are secured [depending] on their own time

    Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 165, no. 2; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

25. Hastening before the possibility [of a matter] is clumsiness, as is delaying after an opportunity [arises].

    Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 363; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 653 · permalink

26. It is the duty of a king to manage his own self before his army.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9333; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 590 · permalink

27. Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) when asked about what Allah first created, said, 'He created light.'

    Bihar al-Anwar, v. 57, p. 73, no. 49; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 233 · permalink

28. He did not create things from eternal matter nor after ever-existing models, rather He created whatever He created and fixed limits to them and He shaped whatever He shaped and gave them the best form.

    Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 163; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 233 · permalink

29. Glory be to you! How great is Your creation that we see! But how small is every greatness when compared to Your power! How awe-striking is what we see from Your kingdom! But how low this is when compared to what is hidden from us by Your authority.

    Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 109; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 234 · permalink

30. It is narrated in Sharh Nahj al-Balagha that Imam Ali (AS) used to frequently say once he had completed his night prayers, 'I bear witness that the heavens and the earth and what is between them are signs that indicate to You and they bear witness to what You have called us towards. Everything that is a proof for You and demonstrates your Lordship carries the effects of Your bounties and the marks of Your administration and management.'

    Sharhe Nahj al-Balagha by Abi al-Hadid, v. 20, p. 255; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 236 · permalink

31. O creature that has been equitably created and that has been nurtured and looked after in the darkness of wombs with multiple veils, you were originated from an extract of clay then you were taken out of your abode to another place you had not seen, and you did not know the means of acquiring its benefits, so who guided you to attain your sustenance from the breast of your mother and who taught you the location of what you required or wanted?

    Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 163; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 236 · permalink

32. Wisdom is sinlessness, and sinlessness is a bounty.

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 12; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 430 · permalink

33. Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) when asked for a proof to affirm the existence of a creator, said, 'Three things: the changing of states, the weakness of the body's limbs, and the thwarting of ambition.'

    Bihar al-Anwar, v. 3, p. 55, no. 29; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 238 · permalink

34. Continuously taking lessons gives rise to the faculty of insight, and brings about self-restraint

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5150; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 620 · permalink

35. He who abundantly and frequently takes lessons [from his experiences] rarely stumbles

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8056; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 620 · permalink

36. The prayer of one who lives neighbouring the mosque [yet prays at home] is null and void unless he prays inside the mosque, except if he has an excuse or if he is sick.' When asked who was considered as neighbouring the mosque, he replied, 'Anyone who hears the call to prayer.'

    Bihar al-Anwar, v. 83, p. 379, no. 47; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 622 · permalink

37. The sanctuary of the mosque extends to forty cubits*, and its neighbouring precinct extends to forty houses on all four sides. {* dhira`a: cubit unit of measurement between 0.6 and 0.8 metres}

    al-Khisal, p. 544, no. 20; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 622 · permalink

38. Grant to whomsoever you please and you will be his emir; ask your need from whomsoever you please and you will be his prisoner; be free of need from whomsoever you please and you will be his equal

    al-Khisal, p. 420, no. 14; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 627 · permalink

39. Whoever you have sought your need from, you have lowered yourself in his eyes

    Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8610; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 627 · permalink

40. Punish the wrongdoer by rewarding the good-doer.

    Sharhe Nahj al-Balagha by Abi al-Hadid, v. 18, p. 410; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 370 · permalink

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