My brother, be careful not to show off,
either in speech or in deed, for showing off is Shirk itself (Shirk
being to associate partners with Allāh in worship).
Do not be conceited, for even a good deed is not raised (to the heavens) if any conceitedness is involved in it.
Take your religion only from one who is sincerely and compassionately
concerned about his own religious guidance. The example of a scholar who
is not concerned about his own religious well-being is that of a sick
doctor: If he cannot treat his own disease…then how can he treat the
diseases of others…? Likewise, if one is not concerned about his own
religious well-being, then how can he be concerned about the religious
well-being of others?
My brother, your religion is nothing more
than your flesh and blood (i.e., You should be concerned about your
religious well-being, because if you aren’t, it is your flesh and blood
that will pay the penalty through the punishment of Allāh). Cry out of
concern for your soul and have mercy on it; if you do not have mercy on
it, then mercy will not be shown to it.
Sit only in the company
of one who advises you to desire little from this world and who
encourages you to put your hopes in the Hereafter. Take care not to sit
with worldly people who speak constantly about worldly affairs; such
people will ruin your religious well-being and will corrupt your heart.
Remember death frequently, and just as frequently ask Allāh to forgive you for your past sins.
Ask Allāh to keep you safe (safe from evil, from dangerous diseases,
from trials and tribulations, etc) for the remainder of your life.
My brother, develop a good character and noble manners.
Do not act contrary to the Jama’ah, for goodness and safety are the consequences of being in harmony with the Jama’ah.
Someone who strives constantly for this world is like a person who
builds one home and destroys another (because he builds prosperity for
himself in this world, while he destroys all chances of becoming
prosperous in the Hereafter).
Give sincere advice to every
believer who asks you a question regarding his religion. And never hide
good advice to someone who asks you about a matter that leads to the
Good Pleasure of Allāh.
If you love your (Muslim) brother for the sake of Allāh, then give him generously from your self and your wealth.
Stay far away from arguments, quarrels, and disputes; otherwise, you will become a wrongdoer, a transgressor, and a deceiver.
Be patient at all times and in all places, for patience leads to
righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. Do not become angry
and furious, for those two emotions lead to wickedness, and wickedness
leads to the Hellfire.
Do not argue with a scholar, for that will
lead to him loathing you. Being able to visit scholars (and learn from
them) is a mercy, and cutting oneself off from them means that one is
bringing down upon himself the wrath of Allāh. Verily, the scholars are
the treasurers of the Prophets and are also their inheritors.
Turn away from worldly pleasures and things (to a certain degree), and,
as a result, Allāh will enable you to see the faults and defects of this
world.
Leave many of the things regarding which you are
doubtful, and replace them with things regarding which you are not
doubtful, and you will, as a result, remain safe: So by warding off
doubt with certainty, you will remain safe in your religion.
Enjoin good and forbid evil — thus will you become loved by Allah.❞
[The Biography of Sufyān Ath-Thawrī, p.176-181]
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