Counsel
11 sayings
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Seeking to consult someone [in one's affairs] is guidance in itself, and the one who suffices himself with his own opinion endangers himself.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 211; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 220 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
There is no better support than good counsel.
Nahj al-Balagha, Saying no. 54; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 220 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Seeking counsel has been highly emphasised because the opinion of the counselor is unadulterated whereas the opinion of the one seeking counsel is polluted with his own whims.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3908; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 220 link
O Ali, do not seek counsel from a coward for verily he will confine the way out for you, nor from the miser for verily he will hold you back from your goal, and nor from the covetous one for verily he will make greediness fair-seeming to you.
Ellal al-Shara'ie, p. 559, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 221 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Do not seek counsel from a liar for verily he is like a mirage he makes that which is far appear near, and he makes that which is near appear far.
Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10351; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 221 link
Counsel should only be sought whilst fulfilling its four terms. Firstly that the one whose counsel you seek must be a man of intellect. Secondly that he must be a free and religious man. Thirdly, he must be brotherly and friendly, and fourthly that when you disclose your secret to him whereby he knows as much about it as you do, he would keep your secret and guard it well.
Makarim al- Akhlaq, v. 2, p. 98, no. 2280; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 221 link
The right of the one who seeks your counsel is that you point him in the right direction if you know that he is inclined towards a certain opinion, and if you do not know [which way to point out], then you must guide him to someone who does
al-Khisal, p. 570, no. 1; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 222 link
Whoever seeks counsel from a fellow brother who refuses to advise him with even an opinion either way, Allah wrests him of his opinion.
al-Mahasin, v. 2, p. 438, no. 2521; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 222 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Amir al-Mu'minin Im?m 'Al? ibn Ab? T?lib (a.s.) said in a letter that he wrote to Muawiya, ' rather counsel is confined to the muhajirun and the ansar [muhajirun early Muslims who migrated from Mecca to Medina with the Prophet (ed.) ansar Medinan Muslims who helped the Meccan Muslim migrants settle in Medina (ed.) ]. If they agree on an individual and take him to be their leader, it will be deemed to mean Allah's pleasure.'
Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 6; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 222 link
Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a] said
Do not desist from speaking the truth, nor from offering your counsel with fairness, for verily I do not regard myself above erring, nor do I consider myself immune from erring in my actions. It is only that Allah makes up for my shortcomings and helps me avoid errors in all these matters wherein He is more powerful than I.
Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 216; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 222 link
Muawiya b. Abi Sufyan has no right to delegate anybody after him to power. Rather the matter will be for the Muslims to decide in counsel amongst themselves.
Bihar al-Anwar, v. 44, p. 65, no. 13; Mizan ul Hikmah, page No. 222 link
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