The strong one is not the expert fighter. The strong one is not the expert fighter. The strong one is not the expert fighter. The strong one is not the expert fighter.
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The truly strong is he The truly strong is he The truly strong is he The truly strong is he who controls hi who controls hi who controls hi who controls him- m- m- m-
self when angry. self when angry. self when angry. self when angry.
The real measure of strength is not mere
muscle, but rather self control.
AVOID THE IRRELEVANT
Its better for a Muslim to leave Its better for a Muslim to leave Its better for a Muslim to leave Its better for a Muslim to leave what what what what
doesnt concern him. doesnt concern him. doesnt concern him. doesnt concern him.
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Dont waste time with matters that dont
concern you, especially other peoples affairs,
because there are many other important
things that require your attention.
Watch Your Tongue
Whoever believes in God and the Herea Whoever believes in God and the Herea Whoever believes in God and the Herea Whoever believes in God and the Hereaf- f- f- f-
ter should say something good or keep ter should say something good or keep ter should say something good or keep ter should say something good or keep
quiet. quiet. quiet. quiet.
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If you have nothing beneficial to say then it
is better to not say anything at all.
Dont Laugh Excessively
Dont laugh too much because excessive Dont laugh too much because excessive Dont laugh too much because excessive Dont laugh too much because excessive
laughter kills the heart. laughter kills the heart. laughter kills the heart. laughter kills the heart.
Excessive joking and entertainment might
make you heedless of the meaning and pur-
pose of life.
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Dont Forget God
Dont speak too much Dont speak too much Dont speak too much Dont speak too much without reme without reme without reme without remem- m- m- m-
be be be ber rr ring God because this hardens the ing God because this hardens the ing God because this hardens the ing God because this hardens the
heart. Indeed, the furthest from God are heart. Indeed, the furthest from God are heart. Indeed, the furthest from God are heart. Indeed, the furthest from God are
the hard the hard the hard the hard- -- -hearted. hearted. hearted. hearted.
Excessive speech or thought without the re-
membrance of God causes heedlessness. The
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mind remains conscious of what it constant-
ly remembers.
Dont Speak Ill of Others
The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet asked, Do you know what asked, Do you know what asked, Do you know what asked, Do you know what
backbiting is? They replied, God and backbiting is? They replied, God and backbiting is? They replied, God and backbiting is? They replied, God and
His Messenger know best. He His Messenger know best. He His Messenger know best. He His Messenger know best. He said, It is said, It is said, It is said, It is
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to mention something about anot to mention something about anot to mention something about anot to mention something about anoth hh her in er in er in er in
his absence that he would di his absence that he would di his absence that he would di his absence that he would dis ss slike. like. like. like.
The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet was then asked, What if I was then asked, What if I was then asked, What if I was then asked, What if I
speak the truth about him? speak the truth about him? speak the truth about him? speak the truth about him?
He He He He then replied, If you speak the truth then replied, If you speak the truth then replied, If you speak the truth then replied, If you speak the truth
then you are backbiting and if you lie then you are backbiting and if you lie then you are backbiting and if you lie then you are backbiting and if you lie
then you are slandering. then you are slandering. then you are slandering. then you are slandering.
Dont speak ill of anyone in his absence even
if it is true, unless it is necessary for a legiti-
mate reason.
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Give Others the
Benefit of the Doubt
Be careful of forming bad opinions about Be careful of forming bad opinions about Be careful of forming bad opinions about Be careful of forming bad opinions about
others. Unjustified accusations are among others. Unjustified accusations are among others. Unjustified accusations are among others. Unjustified accusations are among
the most untruthful forms of the most untruthful forms of the most untruthful forms of the most untruthful forms of speech. speech. speech. speech.
Give others the benefit of the doubt and do
not assume bad things about them since you
would want the same for yourself.
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Think Before You Speak
`
It is enough to consider It is enough to consider It is enough to consider It is enough to consider someone a liar if someone a liar if someone a liar if someone a liar if
he repeats everything he hears. he repeats everything he hears. he repeats everything he hears. he repeats everything he hears.
Confirm what you hear so that you dont
end up spreading rumors and false informa-
tion.
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Learn From Your Mistakes
A believer is not A believer is not A believer is not A believer is not stung from the same hole stung from the same hole stung from the same hole stung from the same hole
twice. twice. twice. twice.
Everyone makes mistakes, but the key is to
learn lessons from them and to avoid repeat-
ing them.
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Seize the Day
` `
Two blessings Two blessings Two blessings Two blessings which many people waste which many people waste which many people waste which many people waste
are health and free time. are health and free time. are health and free time. are health and free time.
Take advantage of health before sickness and
free time before busyness.
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What Goes Around Comes
Around
Whoever does not show mercy to others Whoever does not show mercy to others Whoever does not show mercy to others Whoever does not show mercy to others
will not be will not be will not be will not be shown mercy. shown mercy. shown mercy. shown mercy.
God is just and will not show mercy on the
Day of Judgment to those who did not show
mercy to others during their lifetimes.
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Dont Exaggerate
Exaggeration is destruction. Exaggeration is destruction. Exaggeration is destruction. Exaggeration is destruction.
Dont exaggerate beyond the limits in speech
or actions.
God Wants You To Make Effort
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Some Companions asked, Messenger of Some Companions asked, Messenger of Some Companions asked, Messenger of Some Companions asked, Messenger of
God, should we use medicine when sick? God, should we use medicine when sick? God, should we use medicine when sick? God, should we use medicine when sick?
The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet The Prophet replied, Yes, you may use replied, Yes, you may use replied, Yes, you may use replied, Yes, you may use
medicine. God has not created any di medicine. God has not created any di medicine. God has not created any di medicine. God has not created any dis- s- s- s-
ease without also creating its cure, e ease without also creating its cure, e ease without also creating its cure, e ease without also creating its cure, ex xx xcept cept cept cept
old age. old age. old age. old age.
Put your trust in God but do not abandon
the means He created for you. Once you
have taken the necessary steps, dont worry
and leave the rest to God. This principle
applies to all aspects of life.
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Whats Done Is Done
`
If something happened to you dont say, If something happened to you dont say, If something happened to you dont say, If something happened to you dont say,
If only I hadnt done that, things would If only I hadnt done that, things would If only I hadnt done that, things would If only I hadnt done that, things would
be different. Rather, say, God decreed it be different. Rather, say, God decreed it be different. Rather, say, God decreed it be different. Rather, say, God decreed it
and did whatever and did whatever and did whatever and did whatever H HH He wanted. e wanted. e wanted. e wanted.
Never look back and regret the past. Feel
sorry for what you did and only look back to
learn lessons from your mistakes so you
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wont repeat them.
The Highest Level of Worship
Someone Someone Someone Someone said to the said to the said to the said to the Prophet Prophet Prophet Prophet, , , , Inform me Inform me Inform me Inform me
about about about about sincerity sincerity sincerity sincerity. .. . He He He He replied, replied, replied, replied, Si Si Si Sin nn ncer cer cer ceri ii ity ty ty ty is is is is
to worship God as if you to worship God as if you to worship God as if you to worship God as if you can can can can see Him. see Him. see Him. see Him.
Although you can't see Him, kno Although you can't see Him, kno Although you can't see Him, kno Although you can't see Him, know that w that w that w that
He sees you. He sees you. He sees you. He sees you.
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Strive to worship God with such devotion as
if you are directly in His presence. Realizing
that He sees you should help you perfect
your worship.
Life is a Test
This world is a prison for the This world is a prison for the This world is a prison for the This world is a prison for the believer and believer and believer and believer and
paradise for the non paradise for the non paradise for the non paradise for the non- -- -believer. believer. believer. believer.
The believer, eagerly awaiting Paradise, feels
trapped in this world, while the non-believer,
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unwilling to face death, sees this world and
its enjoyments as Paradise.
The Believer Never Loses
`
The life of a believer is truly amazing. The life of a believer is truly amazing. The life of a believer is truly amazing. The life of a believer is truly amazing.
Everything that happens to him is good. Everything that happens to him is good. Everything that happens to him is good. Everything that happens to him is good.
This is only true for a believer and none This is only true for a believer and none This is only true for a believer and none This is only true for a believer and none
else. If something pleasant happens to else. If something pleasant happens to else. If something pleasant happens to else. If something pleasant happens to
him, he is thankful and that is good for him, he is thankful and that is good for him, he is thankful and that is good for him, he is thankful and that is good for
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him and if something bad afflicts him, he him and if something bad afflicts him, he him and if something bad afflicts him, he him and if something bad afflicts him, he
is patie is patie is patie is patient and that is also good for him. nt and that is also good for him. nt and that is also good for him. nt and that is also good for him.
A believer is never overcome by difficulties.
He realizes whatever happens is part of the
greater test of life. The disbeliever denies this
test and gains no benefit from afflictions.
True Wisdom Is to Prepare
for Death
`
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Wise is he who controls his desires and Wise is he who controls his desires and Wise is he who controls his desires and Wise is he who controls his desires and
works for the afterlife. Foolish is he who works for the afterlife. Foolish is he who works for the afterlife. Foolish is he who works for the afterlife. Foolish is he who
follows his follows his follows his follows his desires and then hopes God desires and then hopes God desires and then hopes God desires and then hopes God
will forgive him. will forgive him. will forgive him. will forgive him.
True wisdom is to see life in perspective and
overcome your desires in order to pass lifes
tests. Foolishness is to hope that you will
succeed without making any effort.
Life Is a Journey
`
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Live in this world as if you are a stranger Live in this world as if you are a stranger Live in this world as if you are a stranger Live in this world as if you are a stranger
or a traveler. or a traveler. or a traveler. or a traveler.
A believer knows that he is only passing
through this world and does not take it as his
final destination. Like a traveler, he takes
only what he needs and leaves behind that
which will slow his journey.
Its Whats Inside That Counts
37
God doesnt look at your appearances or God doesnt look at your appearances or God doesnt look at your appearances or God doesnt look at your appearances or
your wealth. He looks at your hearts and your wealth. He looks at your hearts and your wealth. He looks at your hearts and your wealth. He looks at your hearts and
your actions. your actions. your actions. your actions.
Outward appearances, empty deeds, and ma-
terial possessions do not matter to God. On-
ly sincere deeds really matter.
True Superiority Is in Piety
`
It was said to the Prophet It was said to the Prophet It was said to the Prophet It was said to the Prophet, Who are the , Who are the , Who are the , Who are the
best people? He replied best people? He replied best people? He replied best people? He replied, The best of , The best of , The best of , The best of
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them are the most God them are the most God them are the most God them are the most God- -- -conscious. conscious. conscious. conscious.
Your rank is not determined by your lineage,
race, or wealth, but rather by how mindful of
God you are in your heart and actions.
Cleanliness Counts
Cleanliness is half of faith. Cleanliness is half of faith. Cleanliness is half of faith. Cleanliness is half of faith.
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Keeping yourself and your surroundings
clean has been compared with being half of
faith. Strive for cleanliness even if no one else
can see it.
Build Good Habits
The most beloved actions to God are The most beloved actions to God are The most beloved actions to God are The most beloved actions to God are
those performed consistently, even if they those performed consistently, even if they those performed consistently, even if they those performed consistently, even if they
are few. are few. are few. are few.
Although impulsive good deeds are benefi-
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cial, actions performed consistently are bet-
ter because they require more self-control,
discipline, and commitment to God.
The Insignificance of This
World
`
This world compared with the Hereafter This world compared with the Hereafter This world compared with the Hereafter This world compared with the Hereafter
is is is is nothing more than a drop in an ocean. nothing more than a drop in an ocean. nothing more than a drop in an ocean. nothing more than a drop in an ocean.
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This worldly life is virtually insignificant in
every aspect when compared with the He-
reafter. Never prefer this world over the He-
reafter.
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