Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib [a]
1968 sayings · page 28 of 50
Every man who is controlled by his wife is indeed cursed
al-Kafi, v. 5, p. 518, no. 10; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 602 · permalink
When a man stands to pray, Iblis [Satan] approaches and looks at him jealously because of the mercy of Allah that he can see covering him.
al-Khisal, no. 10; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 717 · permalink
Man should be humble in his prayer, for verily he whose heart is humble before Allah, Mighty and Exalted, his limbs will humble themselves too and will not fidget around
al-Khisal, no. 628; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 717 · permalink
When Imam Ali (AS) used to stand for prayer, he would be like a fixed structure or a straight pillar, not moving at all, and sometimes when he would bow or prostrate, [he would be so still that] a bird would perch itself on him. Nobody was ever able to match the prayer of the Prophet (SAWA) apart from Ali b. Abi Talib and Ali b. al-Husayn [i.e. Imam Zayn al-Abidin] (AS).
Da`aim al-Islam, v. 1, p. 159; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 718 · permalink
When the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (AS) used to start performing his ablution, the colour of his face would change due to the fear of Allah, most High.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 70, p. 400, no. 72; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 718 · permalink
Verily the truth is not known through men; know the truth [first] and you will know its people
Majma`a al-Bayan, v. 1, p. 211; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 961 · permalink
The truth is the widest thing in description, but the narrowest in practicing justice. No sooner does it side with someone than it will side against him [at another time], and no sooner does it side against someone than it will side for him later. And if anyone is to side with it, never going against it, then that would be purely for Allah, glory be to Him
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 216; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 961 · permalink
Do not let consideration for a person's right hinder you from upholding the truth when it is against him
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10338; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 961 · permalink
Truthfulness is the congruity of logic with divine convention, whereas lying removes logic from divine convention
Ghurar al-Hikam, nos. 1552-1553; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 962 · permalink
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.), when he was asked about the most truthful saying, replied, 'The testimony that there is no god but Allah
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p378, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 964 · permalink
The most truthful of sayings is that which the tongue of the present utters.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3302; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 964 · permalink
The work of a tyrant can never be pure.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10587; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 965 · permalink
Do not address me the way tyrants are addressed, nor should you be reluctant in my presence as it is done in the presence of the oppressors, nor should you associate with me with hypocrisy.
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 216; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 965 · permalink
Beware of behaving tyrannically with the servants of Allah, for [eventually] Allah annihilates every tyrant
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2695; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 965 · permalink
If you commit a misdeed, hasten to erase it with repentance.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 208, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 788 · permalink
The one who procrastinates in repenting for himself faces the greatest danger from the [sudden] attack of death.
Mustadrak al-Wasa`il, v. 12, p. 130, no. 13707; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 788 · permalink
Abandoning sin is easier than asking for forgiveness
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73, p. 364, no. 96; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 789 · permalink
Allah turns mercifully to the one who repents, and his limbs are ordered to keep his secret, and all the places on earth to conceal for him [his sin], and the record-keeping angels to forget whatever they wrote about him.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6, p. 28, no. 32; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 789 · permalink
Resentment is the basest of defects
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 966; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 790 · permalink
Resentment is the instigator of anger
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 530; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 791 · permalink
Resentment is the distinguishing characteristic of the jealous
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 422; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 791 · permalink
Resentment is a fire that is only extinguished by triumph [over one's opponent].'
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2203; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 791 · permalink
Resentment is the cause of problems.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5522; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 791 · permalink
The resentful person has a tormented soul and his anxiety is manifold.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1962; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 791 · permalink
Be careful of your duty to Allah with respect to His people as well as His places, for verily you will be answerable even for the places [you frequented] and the animals. Obey Allah and do not disobey Him
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 167; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 792 · permalink
Every single person is answerable for all that he possesses and all who depend on him
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7254; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 793 · permalink
And know that there is no good in knowledge that is of no use, and that one cannot benefit from knowledge that is not worthy of being learnt.
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 526 · permalink
There are four categories of sciences juristic science for religions, medicine for physical bodies, grammar for language, and astronomy for knowledge of the ages.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 1, p. 218, no. 42; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 527 · permalink
The best type of knowledge is that which improves you.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4962; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 527 · permalink
No one can straighten people other than a ruler be he pious or wicked.
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 14286; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 374 · permalink
Muawiya will prevail over you.' They asked, 'Why do you fight [him] then?' He replied, 'People must have a ruler be he pious or wicked.
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 14366; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 374 · permalink
said regarding the Haruriyya who say that there is no rule other than Allah's, 'The rule is Allah's, and there are rulers on earth, but they [retort and] say, 'There is no government' 'There must be a government for the people under which the believer toils and the wicked and the unbeliever seek to make merry, and in which Allah decrees the final outcome.'
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 31567; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 374 · permalink
was once offered a sweetmeat called faludhaj, so he placed it in front of him, saying, 'Verily you have a fragrant smell, are of a beautiful colour, and taste delicious, but I hate to habituate my soul [to anything] since it has not yet formed any habits.'
Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 36549; Mizan ul Hikmah page No. 384 · permalink
Whoever acts tyrannically will be broken.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7697; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 965 · permalink
Habit is second nature.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 702; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 383 · permalink
A habit holds every man under its authority.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7327; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 383 · permalink
He who obeys habits does not attain high levels.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6409; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 383 · permalink
Your tongue will urge you to whatever you have accustomed it [to say], and your inner self will require you to do whatever you have made it fond of.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7634; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 384 · permalink
Do not hasten to resort to anger lest it prevail over you by becoming a habit.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10288; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 384 · permalink
Allah will humiliate and depose whoever acts tyrannically
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8471; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 965 · permalink
Shown with the book and page each saying is taken from. The collection carries no grading, and the English is the compiler’s. All speakers and subjects