On Friends

"Friends are a single soul divided between different bodies."~Imam Ali (Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2059)

"Souls are of different kinds. Those that resemble each other are in harmony, and people are more attracted towards those they resemble."~Imam Ali (Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 92)

(watch this space..more to be added)

The Banes of Life

"The bane of humour is lack of shame; the bane of courage is aggression; the bane of generosity is mentioning one's favours to others; the bane of beauty is arrogance; the bane of worship is abeyance; the bane of speech is lying; the bane of knowledge is forgetfulness; the bane of wisdom is foolishness; the bane of good lineage is pride; and the bane of liberality is wastefulness." ~The Prophet

Hadith: #44091, Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi

Hope and Fear

He hopes big things from Allah and small things from men but he gives to man (such consideration as) he does not give to Allah. What is the matter with Allah, glorified be His praise? He is accorded less (consideration) than what is given to His creatures. Do you ever fear to be false in your hope in Allah? Or do you not regard Him the centre of your hope?

Similarly, if a man fears man he gives him (such consideration) out of his fear which he does not give to Allah. Thus, he has made his fear for men ready currency while his fear from the Creator is mere deferment or promise. This is the case of every one in whose eye this world appears big (and important) and in whose heart its position is great. He prefers it over Allah, so he inclines towards it, and becomes its devotee.

-Sermon 158 Nahj al-Balaqah (The Peak of Eloquence)