Wisdom: The sage said, “There are four states; safeguard them and you will rank among true men. First: let your private life be such that, were people to discover it, you would not be ashamed. Second: let your public conduct be such that, were people to imitate you, you would be blameless. Third: treat people in the very way you would like them to treat you. Fourth: let whatever you apportion to others be something you would accept were it allotted to you.”
Wisdom: The sage said, “You should view three classes of people with three different ‘eyes’: look upon the poor with the eye of humility, not arrogance; look upon the wealthy with the eye of sincere counsel, not envy; and look upon women with the eye of compassion, not lust.”
Wisdom: Wahb ibn Munabbih said, “It is written in the Torah that the roots of sin are three: arrogance, greed, and envy. They spring from five things: excessive eating, excessive sleeping, bodily ease, love of the world, and people’s praise.”
He also said, “Whoever is free of three traits will find Paradise his abode: reminding others of one’s favors, burdening people, and blaming them. Thus, when he does good he does not boast of it, he lightens the load he places on others, and when he notices a fault in someone he does not reproach him.”
Wisdom: It is related that Ibn al-Qariyyah once visited al-Ḥajjāj. Ibn al-Qariyyah was counted among the most astute and learned men of his age. Al-Ḥajjāj questioned him:
“What is unbelief?” He replied, “Ingratitude for blessings and despair of mercy.”
“What is contentment?” “Trust in Allah’s decree and patience in hardship.”
“What is forbearance?” “Showing mercy when one has power, and composure when angered.”
“What is patience?” “Stifling one’s rage and enduring whatever must be borne.”
“What is generosity?” “Safeguarding a friend and settling all dues.”
“What is self-sufficiency (qanāʿa)?” “Bearing hunger and doing without fine clothing.”
“What is wealth?” “Regarding little as abundant and small things as great.”
“What is gentleness?” “Reaching great ends with small, humble means.”
“What is chauvinistic zeal (ḥamiyya)?” “Standing over the head of one beneath you.”
“What is courage?” “Charging against enemies and unbelievers, and remaining firm when others flee.”
“And what is intellect?” He answered, “Truth…”