1 00:00:00,850 --> 00:00:03,850 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,850 --> 00:00:09,300 The life of the salaf between speech and action. 3 00:00:09,300 --> 00:00:15,380 Sincere counsel, seeking consultation, and seeking guidance (istikhara). 4 00:00:15,380 --> 00:00:20,039 Ma'mar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 5 00:00:20,039 --> 00:00:21,039 It used to be said: 6 00:00:21,039 --> 00:00:26,620 The most sincere person to you is the one who fears Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, regarding you. 7 00:00:26,620 --> 00:00:29,620 Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 8 00:00:29,620 --> 00:00:32,939 The believer is the mirror of his brother. 9 00:00:32,939 --> 00:00:37,939 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, once sought consultation regarding some people he intended to appoint to positions. 10 00:00:37,939 --> 00:00:40,939 One of his companions said to him: 11 00:00:40,939 --> 00:00:42,939 You should choose those who have excuses. 12 00:00:42,939 --> 00:00:45,939 He asked, "And who are they?" 13 00:00:45,939 --> 00:00:50,939 He replied, "Those who, if they act justly, it is what you hoped for from them; 14 00:00:50,939 --> 00:00:53,939 And if they fall short, people will say: 15 00:00:53,939 --> 00:00:55,939 'Umar has surely exerted his best effort.'" 16 00:00:55,939 --> 00:00:59,289 Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 17 00:01:00,289 --> 00:01:03,289 Seek guidance from Allah, and do not choose for yourself over His choice. 18 00:01:03,289 --> 00:01:07,290 For how many a servant has chosen a matter for himself, 19 00:01:07,290 --> 00:01:09,290 Only to find his ruin within it. 20 00:01:09,290 --> 00:01:11,450 It used to be said: 21 00:01:11,450 --> 00:01:15,450 Whoever is granted four things shall not be denied four others: 22 00:01:15,450 --> 00:01:19,450 Whoever is granted gratitude shall not be denied increase. 23 00:01:19,450 --> 00:01:23,450 Whoever is granted repentance shall not be denied acceptance. 24 00:01:23,450 --> 00:01:27,450 Whoever is granted consultation shall not be denied what is correct. 25 00:01:27,450 --> 00:01:31,450 Whoever is granted the seeking of guidance (istikhara) shall not be denied what is good. 26 00:01:31,450 --> 00:01:33,959 Some eloquent scholars said: 27 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:39,959 It is the right of the wise person to add the opinions of others to his own, 28 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:43,989 And to combine the intellects of the sages with his own intellect. 29 00:01:43,989 --> 00:01:46,989 For a solitary opinion may stumble, 30 00:01:46,989 --> 00:01:49,989 And an individual intellect may go astray. 31 00:01:49,989 --> 00:01:52,409 It used to be said: 32 00:01:52,409 --> 00:01:55,409 Beware of consulting two types of men: 33 00:01:55,409 --> 00:01:58,409 A youth infatuated with himself, 34 00:01:58,409 --> 00:02:01,439 Who lacks experience with others; 35 00:02:01,439 --> 00:02:04,439 Or an old man whom time has sapped of his intellect, 36 00:02:04,439 --> 00:02:06,439 Just as it has sapped his body. 37 00:02:06,439 --> 00:02:09,569 It was said in the scattered aphorisms: 38 00:02:09,569 --> 00:02:12,569 Everything requires intellect, 39 00:02:12,569 --> 00:02:15,569 And intellect requires experience. 40 00:02:15,569 --> 00:02:18,599 Some sages said: 41 00:02:18,599 --> 00:02:20,599 Half of your opinion lies with your brother; 42 00:02:20,599 --> 00:02:26,780 So consult him to complete your opinion. 43 00:02:26,780 --> 00:02:31,090 Condemning arrogance and vanity. 44 00:02:31,090 --> 00:02:34,090 Yahya ibn Mu'adh, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 45 00:02:34,090 --> 00:02:37,090 A sin for which I humble myself before Allah 46 00:02:37,090 --> 00:02:41,090 Is dearer to me than a deed through which I show off before Him. 47 00:02:41,090 --> 00:02:45,409 Abu Sulayman al-Darani, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 48 00:02:45,409 --> 00:02:48,439 How can a wise person be vain about his deed, 49 00:02:48,439 --> 00:02:52,439 When he should consider the deed itself a blessing from Allah? 50 00:02:52,439 --> 00:02:56,439 He ought only to be grateful and humble. 51 00:02:56,439 --> 00:02:59,439 Only the Qadariyyah are vain about their deeds, 52 00:02:59,439 --> 00:03:03,439 Those who claim that they are the ones who perform them. 53 00:03:03,439 --> 00:03:06,439 As for the one who claims that he is merely being used by Allah, 54 00:03:06,439 --> 00:03:09,789 What is there for him to be vain about? 55 00:03:09,789 --> 00:03:12,789 Abu 'Uthman al-Hiri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 56 00:03:12,789 --> 00:03:15,789 Despising people in your own heart 57 00:03:15,789 --> 00:03:17,789 Is a disease that cannot be cured. 58 00:03:17,789 --> 00:03:21,080 Al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 59 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:24,080 If you fear vanity regarding your deed, 60 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:27,080 Then remember whose pleasure you are seeking, 61 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,080 In what bliss you desire, 62 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:32,080 And from what punishment you fear. 63 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:36,080 At that moment, your deed will seem small in your eyes. 64 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:41,259 What has been said regarding the intellect and the wise. 65 00:03:41,259 --> 00:03:47,500 It is reported that Mutarrif ibn 'Abd Allah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 66 00:03:47,500 --> 00:03:52,539 No servant has been given anything better after faith than intellect. 67 00:03:52,539 --> 00:03:55,759 Wahb ibn Munabbih, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 68 00:03:55,759 --> 00:03:58,759 I found in some of what Allah revealed 69 00:03:58,759 --> 00:04:00,759 To His prophets: 70 00:04:00,759 --> 00:04:03,789 That Satan has never struggled with anything 71 00:04:03,789 --> 00:04:06,789 More difficult for him than a wise believer. 72 00:04:06,789 --> 00:04:09,789 He struggles with a hundred thousand ignorant people, 73 00:04:09,789 --> 00:04:11,789 Mocking them, 74 00:04:11,789 --> 00:04:13,789 Until he rides upon their necks, 75 00:04:13,789 --> 00:04:16,790 And they are led by him wherever he wishes. 76 00:04:16,790 --> 00:04:19,790 But he struggles with the wise believer, 77 00:04:19,790 --> 00:04:21,790 And it becomes difficult for him, 78 00:04:21,790 --> 00:04:24,790 Until he gains nothing from him. 79 00:04:24,790 --> 00:04:27,980 Some sages said: 80 00:04:27,980 --> 00:04:30,980 Whoever does not guard himself with his intellect against his own intellect 81 00:04:30,980 --> 00:04:32,980 Will perish by his own intellect. 82 00:04:32,980 --> 00:04:36,139 Ibn Muflih, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 83 00:04:36,139 --> 00:04:39,139 This is a statement of the utmost excellence. 84 00:04:39,139 --> 00:04:41,660 It is said: 85 00:04:41,660 --> 00:04:45,660 Whoever does not let his intellect prevail over his desires, 86 00:04:45,660 --> 00:04:49,660 His destruction will lie in those very desires. 87 00:04:49,660 --> 00:04:52,850 It was said to Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him: 88 00:04:53,850 --> 00:04:55,850 "Who is the most enviable of people?" 89 00:04:55,850 --> 00:04:58,850 He replied, "The wisest of them." 90 00:04:58,850 --> 00:05:00,850 It was said, "The most knowledgeable of them?" 91 00:05:00,850 --> 00:05:03,850 He replied, "The wisest of them." 92 00:05:03,850 --> 00:05:07,100 From Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him: 93 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:12,100 He said, "Do not judge a man's intellect by his speech, 94 00:05:12,100 --> 00:05:16,100 But judge his intellect by how he handles his affairs." 95 00:05:16,100 --> 00:05:20,459 Waki' ibn al-Jarrah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 96 00:05:20,459 --> 00:05:24,459 The wise person is the one who understands his affairs from Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 97 00:05:24,459 --> 00:05:27,459 Not the one who is merely clever in managing his worldly life. 98 00:05:27,459 --> 00:05:30,839 Some sages said: 99 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:35,839 A wise person should not expose his intellect to examine everything, 100 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:40,839 Just as he should not strike at everything with his sword. 101 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:45,129 Ibn Jurayj, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 102 00:05:45,129 --> 00:05:47,129 A person's foundation is his intellect, 103 00:05:47,129 --> 00:05:50,129 And there is no religion for one who has no intellect. 104 00:05:50,129 --> 00:05:52,579 The poet spoke the truth: 105 00:05:52,579 --> 00:05:56,579 When a person's intellect is complete, his affairs are complete, 106 00:05:56,579 --> 00:06:00,579 His aspirations are fulfilled, and his character is sound. 107 00:06:00,579 --> 00:06:03,089 Some Arabs said: 108 00:06:03,089 --> 00:06:07,089 The things that most assist in sharpening the intellect 109 00:06:07,089 --> 00:06:09,089 Are learning. 110 00:06:09,089 --> 00:06:12,089 And the clearest evidence of a wise person's intellect 111 00:06:12,089 --> 00:06:14,089 Is sound management. 112 00:06:14,089 --> 00:06:17,250 Ibn al-Muqaffa', may Allah have mercy on him, said: 113 00:06:17,250 --> 00:06:22,279 The wise person must not belittle any error in judgment, 114 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,279 Any slip in knowledge, 115 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,279 Or any negligence in affairs. 116 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:29,279 For whoever belittles a small thing 117 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:33,279 Will likely accumulate small thing upon small thing, 118 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:35,279 Until the small becomes great. 119 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:40,279 These are but cracks caused by incapacity and neglect; 120 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:42,279 If they are not sealed, 121 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:46,279 They are likely to burst into something unbearable. 122 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,410 We have never seen anything 123 00:06:48,410 --> 00:06:52,410 That was not brought down by a small thing that was taken lightly. 124 00:06:52,410 --> 00:06:57,470 We have seen kingdoms brought down by a despised enemy, 125 00:06:57,470 --> 00:07:02,569 We have seen health destroyed by a disease that was ignored, 126 00:07:02,569 --> 00:07:07,569 And we have seen rivers burst forth from a stream that was underestimated. 127 00:07:07,569 --> 00:07:13,819 The wise person must be cautious of an opinion for which he finds no supporter, 128 00:07:13,819 --> 00:07:16,920 Even if he thinks he is certain. 129 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,920 And the wise person should not underestimate anyone. 130 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:23,949 The most deserving of not being underestimated are three: 131 00:07:23,949 --> 00:07:27,949 The pious, the rulers, and one's brothers. 132 00:07:27,949 --> 00:07:32,980 For whoever underestimates the pious ruins his religion, 133 00:07:32,980 --> 00:07:36,980 Whoever underestimates the rulers ruins his worldly life, 134 00:07:36,980 --> 00:07:42,180 And whoever underestimates his brothers corrupts his honor. 135 00:07:42,180 --> 00:07:46,180 You will not find a wise person telling something to someone he fears will call him a liar, 136 00:07:46,180 --> 00:07:49,180 Nor asking someone he fears will refuse him, 137 00:07:49,180 --> 00:07:53,180 Nor promising what he cannot fulfill, 138 00:07:53,180 --> 00:07:56,180 Nor hoping for what he will be rebuked for seeking, 139 00:07:56,180 --> 00:08:00,180 Nor undertaking what he fears he is incapable of. 140 00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:06,339 There is no wisdom for one whose worldly pleasures distract him from his afterlife. 141 00:08:06,339 --> 00:08:13,370 It is not a sign of wisdom to be deprived of one's share of the world by being blind to its transience. 142 00:08:13,370 --> 00:08:15,689 He, may Allah have mercy on him, also said: 143 00:08:15,689 --> 00:08:20,720 Know that there is a type of caution in affairs that is called prudence, 144 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,720 And another type that is called cowardice. 145 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:28,720 If you can avoid a matter before you become involved in it, 146 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:30,720 Then do so; 147 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,720 For this is prudence. 148 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:36,720 Do not plunge into it and then fear it, 149 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,720 For this is cowardice. 150 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:44,720 The wise person does not wade into a river until he knows the depth of its bottom. 151 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:51,309 The concern of the salaf regarding thoughts and reflections. 152 00:08:51,309 --> 00:08:55,399 Masruq, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 153 00:08:55,399 --> 00:08:58,399 Whoever is mindful of Allah regarding the thoughts of his heart, 154 00:08:58,399 --> 00:09:02,399 Allah will protect him in the movements of his limbs. 155 00:09:02,399 --> 00:09:05,690 It was said to Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him: 156 00:09:05,690 --> 00:09:08,690 "When does a servant take hold of an intention?" 157 00:09:08,690 --> 00:09:13,690 He replied, "When it becomes a firm resolve, he takes hold of it." 158 00:09:13,690 --> 00:09:18,039 Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 159 00:09:18,039 --> 00:09:22,070 Beware, may Allah have mercy on you, of these vain wishes, 160 00:09:22,070 --> 00:09:28,070 For no one has ever been given anything good in this world or the next through mere wishing. 161 00:09:28,070 --> 00:09:30,389 Some of them said: 162 00:09:30,389 --> 00:09:33,389 High aspiration is the precursor to all things. 163 00:09:33,389 --> 00:09:37,389 Whoever has a sound aspiration and is truthful in it, 164 00:09:37,389 --> 00:09:42,389 All his subsequent deeds and states will be sound.