Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib [a]
1968 sayings · page 47 of 50
Abstaining from the vain pleasures of this world is the greatest source of comfort.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1316; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 121 · permalink
Do not be of those who try to secure the Hereafter by means of the worldly life they disparage this world using ascetic terms, yet act like those who covet it.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 68, no. 16; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 122 · permalink
The best level of asceticism is to conceal one's asceticism.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 28; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 122 · permalink
When an abstemious person flees from people, seek after him, and when he seeks after people, flee from him.'
Ghurar al-Hikam, nos. 3078-3079; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 122 · permalink
Adhere to sureties [that you are liable for] in all firmness.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 155; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 123 · permalink
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) said, in his epistle to M lik al-Ashtar: 'And if you make a covenant between yourself and your enemy or give him a surety [against life or property], then stand by your pact with loyalty and observe your liability with trustworthiness. Make yourself the shield for your word, for there is nothing from Allah's mandates that all people agree upon, despite their diverse opinions on everything else, as much as they do with regards to respecting the fulfilment of covenants.
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 53; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 123 · permalink
Backbiting is the attempt of one who is incapable [of doing better himself].
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 461; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 125 · permalink
Take of knowledge whatever seems good to you, but beware of seeking knowledge for four reasons in order that you may contend with the scholars, or in order to wrangle with foolish people, or that you may show off with it in gatherings, or in order that people may look up to you to lead them.
Kitab al-Irshad, v. 1, p. 230; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 512 · permalink
Take wisdom from whoever brings it to you, and look at that which is being said and do not look at who is saying it.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5048; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 513 · permalink
When you see a scholar, be a servant to him.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4044; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 516 · permalink
He who shows reverence to a scholar has revered his Lord.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8704; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 516 · permalink
The student must discipline himself in his quest for knowledge, and not become bored of learning, nor overestimate what he already knows.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6197; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 517 · permalink
Only he who lengthens his study attains knowledge
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 758; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 517 · permalink
He who gives a great deal of thought to what he learns masters his knowledge, and comes to understand that which he could not understand before.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8917; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 517 · permalink
The scholars are the governors over people.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 507; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 518 · permalink
The scholar is the one who is never satiated with knowledge, and never becomes full of it.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1740; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 518 · permalink
The scholar is the one who never gets bored of gaining knowledge.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1303; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 518 · permalink
The fruit of knowledge is action in accordance with it.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4624; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 518 · permalink
The fruit of knowledge is worship.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4600; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 519 · permalink
Verily promises are chains on people' s necks until the Day of Resurrection. So whoever fulfils them is delivered by Allah, and whoever breaks them is forsaken by Allah, and whoever takes them lightly will have to contend with the One Who has placed special emphasis on them and Who has enjoined upon His creation to fulfil them.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3650; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 226 · permalink
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) in a letter he wrote to al-Ashtar when he appointed him governor of Egypt, said, 'Among all things made incumbent by Allah, there is nothing on which people are more strongly united, in spite of the difference of their opinions and the diversity of their views, than the respect for fulfilling promises.'
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 53; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 226 · permalink
Verily fulfilment of a promise is part of faith.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3379; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 226 · permalink
He who does not observe his promises and his guarantee does not have conviction in Allah.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9577; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 227 · permalink
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) when asked about covetousness, said, 'It is the desire for something little through the loss of a lot.'
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73, p. 167, no. 31; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 228 · permalink
Covetousness is a terminal [source of] distress.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 982; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 228 · permalink
Covetousness stains one's gallantry.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1107; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 228 · permalink
Covetousness is the mount of pains.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 280; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 228 · permalink
Covetousness and meanness are founded on doubt and lack of trust in Allah.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6195; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 230 · permalink
The Imam needs a wise heart, an expressive tongue and a staunch soul [i.e. authority] in establishing the truth.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 11010; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 538 · permalink
One who appoints himself as a leader of the people must first begin by educating himself before educating others; he must discipline through his own behaviour, before disciplining with his tongue.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 110; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 538 · permalink
Whoever draws the sword of agression will be killed by it [himself].
Nahj al-Sa`ada, v. 1, p. 52; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 87 · permalink
There are two kinds of fighting: one is the fighting against polytheists; they must not be left until they accept Islam or pay the tax with humility. The second is the fighting against the people of innovation [from among Muslims]; and they should not be left until they comply with the command of Allah or else they be killed.
Wasael al-Shi`aah, v. 11, p. 18, no. 3; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 89 · permalink
[Rebellious] Agressors [from among Muslims] are to be fought and killed in the same way that one kills polytheists; and Muslims can rally all the support they can against them, and when possible, they can be taken prisoners just as polytheists are taken captive
Mustadrak al-Wasa`il, v. 11, p. 65, no. 12437; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 89 · permalink
He who, in spite of having water and soil at his disposal, is still poor, is dissociated by Allah.
Qurb al-Isnad, p. 115, no. 404; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 90 · permalink
Do good and do not underestimate it at all, for verily a little good is actually a lot and a small amount of it is much.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 422; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 357 · permalink
Verily good and evil can only be known through people, so if you want to know good then do good and you will know its people, and if you want to know evil then commit evil and you will know its people.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 41, no. 26; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 357 · permalink
The most intelligent of people is he who looks further into the consequences
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3367; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 752 · permalink
Victory comes through firm resolution and determination
Aaw`ali al-La'ali, v. 1, p. 292, no. 164; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 752 · permalink
There is nothing better than goodness except its own reward.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7487; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 358 · permalink
Good-doing is incumbent upon you, for it is the best cultivation and the most profitable commodity.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6112; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 360 · permalink
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