[vanillawafer]

The ailments of the heart are, in many ways and from many different points of view, more harmful, dangerous, repugnant, and hideous than those of the body. Most harmful and dangerous is the fact that the ailments of the heart affect a man's religion (which is his capital for happiness in this world and the next) and that they damage his Hereafter, which is the life of permanence and eternity.

Physical illness, on the other hand, harms a man's worldly life, which is ephemeral and quick to end, and harms his body, which is a target for afflictions and rapid destruction. Furthermore, physical illness may be great gift to one's religion and to one's future life, for God has made great rewards and numerous immediate and delayed benefits as the consequences of illness, as is evident from many Quranic verses and hadiths. [Knowledge and Wisdom]

salam

[vanillawafer]

The heart's ailments are identified by recognizing the outward signs which indicate their existence. These are numerous, and the most evident are laziness with respect to acts of obedience, sluggishness in good works, greed for the world's pleasures and passions, eagerness for worldly prosperity, yearning to continue to abide in the world for a long time, and other similar attributes of the heedless and of those who turn away from God the Exalted.

When one detects these signs one must strive to treat them. The shortest and most effective way is to search for a learned person who is a Gnostic and a scholar. Should he fail to find one, let him take counsel from a virtuous brother, Should he fail to find such a brother, then he must resort to the books of the leading authorities in such matters, where the diseases and their remedies are described.

The most comprehensive and useful of these books is Ihya' ulum al Din (Revival of the sciences of the Religion) , especially the volume on "Moral Vices." Books are not, however, a substitute for a Gnostic teacher or a virtuous brother; they should be last resort for those unable to find either. God the Exalted helps the seeker according to his determination, sincerity, and aspiration. And God is the Trustee, the Helper. [Knowledge and Wisdom]

salam

[vanillawafer]

The company one keeps has major effects. It may lead either to benefit or improvement or to harm and corruption, depending on whether the company is that of pure and eminent people or people who are depraved and evil. This effect does not appear suddenly, but is a gradual process that enfolds with time.

If you wish to know whether those you mix and sit with increase or diminish your faith, religion, and actions, compare your state with regard to good character, praiseworthy intentions, resolution in performing acts of obedience, and goodness before and after their companionship. If you find that these acts have become stronger and more firmly established and that you have become more desirous of and interested in them, then know that this particular company is of benefit to your religion and your heart, and that if you continue with it you will gain even greater benefits and acquire many more good things, God willing.

If, on the other hand, you find that your religion has grown weaker and shakier, know that this company is harmful, that its harm to your religion and your heart is evident, may God protect us. The decisive factor here is whether good or evil is more powerful and predominant. When goodness in that company is more powerful and predominant, then a wicked man who mixes with them may become attracted to goodness and its people, whereas when wickedness prevails and dominates, then it is to be feared that the good people who keep such company may become attracted to wickedness and its people. [Knowledge and Wisdom]

salam

[vanillawafer]

You should not neglect your time or use it haphazardly; on the contrary, you should bring yourself to account, structure your litanies and other practices during the day and night, and assign to each period a fixed and specific function. This is how to bring out the spiritual blessing (baraka) in each period. But if you leave yourself adrift, aimlessly wandering as cattle do, not knowing how to occupy yourself at every moment, your time will be lost. It is nothing other than your life, and your life is the capital that you make use of to reach perpetual felicity in the proximity of God the Exalted.

Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, since each of them is irreplaceable and, once gone, can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because each day their wealth increases while their life shortens. What good is increase in wealth when life grows ever shorter? Therefore, be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good works, for they are your two companions who will accompany you in your grave when your family, wealth, children, and friends stay behind. [Knowledge and Wisdom]

I'm done posting excerpts from this book.

salam

[zzze]

assalamu alaykum

jazakallahkhair

[Rida]

Imam Shafi`i (ra):

Never do I debate a man with a desire to hear him err in his speech, or to expose the flaws in his argument, and thus vanquish him. Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently supplicate, ‘O Lord, help him so that truth may manifest itself in his heart and on his tongue. If it be that the truth is on my side, may he follow me; and if the truth be on his side, may I follow him.’

Wassalaam