Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib [a]
1968 sayings · page 37 of 50
Wisdom is the lost property of the believer, so take wisdom even from the people of hypocrisy.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 80; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 991 · permalink
The one who seeks fulfilment of his need from an unwise person is [himself] not a wise person.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2092; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 992 · permalink
A person who does not deal amicably with someone for whom amicableness is the only option is not a wise man.
Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 218; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 992 · permalink
The opening of wisdom is abandoning the [illicit] pleasures, and the peak of it is to detest the transient things.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3054; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 992 · permalink
From among [the matters of] wisdom is to avoid dispute with one who is above you, to not disesteem anyone other than yourself, to not undertake a task which is outside of your capability, to not have your tongue contradict your heart and neither your word [contradict] your action, to not speak of that which you do not know, and to not abandon a matter as it approaches only to pursue it as it retreats.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9450; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 992 · permalink
The ruin of your predecessors lay in the fact that they deprived people of their rights and subsequently resorted to buying them back, and they handled people using unethical means, which they followed.
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 79; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 147 · permalink
You know full well that he who is in charge of honour, people's lives, war booty, legal commandments and the leadership of the Muslims must not be a miser nor should he accept bribes whilst governing for he would forfeit their rights, and base his rulings upon them [the bribes] rather than proper judgment.
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 131; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 147 · permalink
said about Allah's verse in the Qur'an: "eaters of the unlawful"385, 'This refers to the man who fulfils a need for a fellow brother and then accepts a gift from him.'
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 104, p. 273, no. 5; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 147 · permalink
Many a brother was not given birth by your own mother.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5351; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 148 · permalink
The one who does good will be the first to reap its result.
Ghurar al-Hikam,. no. 8177; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 351 · permalink
Adopt [the friendship of] true brothers and increase in your acquisition of them, for they are an asset in times of prosperity, and a shield during afflictions.
Amali al-Saduq, p. 250, no. 8; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 149 · permalink
Do not let your brother be stronger than you are in your amity for him.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 165, no. 29; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 149 · permalink
Love brothers in proportion to [their] piety
al-Ikhtisas, no. 226; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 149 · permalink
Brothers, [whose brotherhood is] for the sake of Allah, enjoy an enduring amity, due to the firmness of its foundation.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1795; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 150 · permalink
Brotherhood for the sake of Allah is fruitful.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4225; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 151 · permalink
A man whose friendship is not for the sake of Allah must be avoided, for his friendship is vile, and his company is doomed.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8978; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 151 · permalink
A man whose brotherhood is for the sake of Allah is bound to gain, while a man who seeks brothers for the sake of this world is bound to lose
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7776-7777; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 151 · permalink
A man who draws close to you for a purpose will abandon you when it is fulfilled.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8552; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 151 · permalink
Ask your hearts about their amities, for they are witnesses that take no bribes.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5641; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 152 · permalink
When the Zaqqum and the cactus will boil in the stomachs of the people of the Fire, like boiling water, they will ask for a drink, and will be given a drink made of pus and festering matter. One will swallow it painfully but will not enjoy it, and death will come to him from all sides though he will not die.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 8, p. 302, no. 58; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 401 · permalink
The person to experience the greatest punishment will be the man who recompenses good done unto him with evil.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3217; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 402 · permalink
The person to experience the greatest pain on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who was dissatisfied with the decree of Allah.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3225; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 402 · permalink
Hoarding is the cause of deprivation.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 256; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 404 · permalink
Hoarding is the habit of the dissolute.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 607; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 405 · permalink
It is unjust for the Imam to imprison the culprit after punishment.
Tahdhib al-Ahkam, v. 6, p. 314, no. 870; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 428 · permalink
Imprisonment after acknowledgment of the truth is injustice.
Mustadrak al-Wasa`il, v. 17, p. 403, no. 21672; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 428 · permalink
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) used to inspect the prisons every Friday; he punished the convicts and released those who had no charge against them.'
Mustadrak al-Wasa`il, v. 18, p. 36, no. 21943; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 428 · permalink
He who is divinely granted infallibility is safe from error.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8469; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 429 · permalink
A sincere friend is he who advises you with regard to your shortcomings, protects you in your absence, and prefers you over himself
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1904; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 346 · permalink
Shower all your love on your friend but do not shower all your trust on him.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 165, no. 29; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 346 · permalink
Verily the one who knows the vicissitudes of time will not neglect preparation.
al-Tawhid, p. 74, no. 27; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 632 · permalink
Generosity is a means of nearness [to Allah].
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 193, no. 9; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 348 · permalink
The heart can only be made use of [to the best of its capacity] with generosity.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 7, no. 59; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 348 · permalink
Generosity is the fruit of the intellect, and contentment is the proof of magnanimity.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2145; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 348 · permalink
Generosity cultivates love.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 306; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 348 · permalink
Generosity imparts love and adorns one's character.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1600; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 349 · permalink
Generosity is that you contribute willingly from your own wealth, and restrain yourself from other people's wealth.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1928; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 350 · permalink
If you want to cut off relations with your brother make sure to leave a place for him in your heart, so he can return to it one day when he so wishes.
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 153 · permalink
How awful it is to cut off relations after having maintained them, to turn away after brotherhood, and to have animosity after amity.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 210, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 153 · permalink
Do not let your brother be stronger in his avoidance of you than you are in your maintaing relations with him, and do not be stronger in your harm to him than in your kindness towards him.
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 153 · permalink
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