WEBVTT 00:00:00.850 --> 00:00:03.850 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.850 --> 00:00:09.300 The life of the salaf between speech and action. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:15.380 Sincere counsel, seeking consultation, and seeking guidance (istikhara). 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:20.039 Ma'mar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:21.039 It used to be said: 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. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:29.620 Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:32.939 The believer is the mirror of his brother. 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. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:40.939 One of his companions said to him: 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:42.939 You should choose those who have excuses. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:45.939 He asked, "And who are they?" 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:50.939 He replied, "Those who, if they act justly, it is what you hoped for from them; 00:00:50.939 --> 00:00:53.939 And if they fall short, people will say: 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:55.939 'Umar has surely exerted his best effort.'" 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:59.289 Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:01:00.289 --> 00:01:03.289 Seek guidance from Allah, and do not choose for yourself over His choice. 00:01:03.289 --> 00:01:07.290 For how many a servant has chosen a matter for himself, 00:01:07.290 --> 00:01:09.290 Only to find his ruin within it. 00:01:09.290 --> 00:01:11.450 It used to be said: 00:01:11.450 --> 00:01:15.450 Whoever is granted four things shall not be denied four others: 00:01:15.450 --> 00:01:19.450 Whoever is granted gratitude shall not be denied increase. 00:01:19.450 --> 00:01:23.450 Whoever is granted repentance shall not be denied acceptance. 00:01:23.450 --> 00:01:27.450 Whoever is granted consultation shall not be denied what is correct. 00:01:27.450 --> 00:01:31.450 Whoever is granted the seeking of guidance (istikhara) shall not be denied what is good. 00:01:31.450 --> 00:01:33.959 Some eloquent scholars said: 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, 00:01:39.959 --> 00:01:43.989 And to combine the intellects of the sages with his own intellect. 00:01:43.989 --> 00:01:46.989 For a solitary opinion may stumble, 00:01:46.989 --> 00:01:49.989 And an individual intellect may go astray. 00:01:49.989 --> 00:01:52.409 It used to be said: 00:01:52.409 --> 00:01:55.409 Beware of consulting two types of men: 00:01:55.409 --> 00:01:58.409 A youth infatuated with himself, 00:01:58.409 --> 00:02:01.439 Who lacks experience with others; 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:04.439 Or an old man whom time has sapped of his intellect, 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:06.439 Just as it has sapped his body. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:09.569 It was said in the scattered aphorisms: 00:02:09.569 --> 00:02:12.569 Everything requires intellect, 00:02:12.569 --> 00:02:15.569 And intellect requires experience. 00:02:15.569 --> 00:02:18.599 Some sages said: 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:20.599 Half of your opinion lies with your brother; 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:26.780 So consult him to complete your opinion. 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:31.090 Condemning arrogance and vanity. 00:02:31.090 --> 00:02:34.090 Yahya ibn Mu'adh, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:02:34.090 --> 00:02:37.090 A sin for which I humble myself before Allah 00:02:37.090 --> 00:02:41.090 Is dearer to me than a deed through which I show off before Him. 00:02:41.090 --> 00:02:45.409 Abu Sulayman al-Darani, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:02:45.409 --> 00:02:48.439 How can a wise person be vain about his deed, 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:52.439 When he should consider the deed itself a blessing from Allah? 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:56.439 He ought only to be grateful and humble. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:59.439 Only the Qadariyyah are vain about their deeds, 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:03.439 Those who claim that they are the ones who perform them. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:06.439 As for the one who claims that he is merely being used by Allah, 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:09.789 What is there for him to be vain about? 00:03:09.789 --> 00:03:12.789 Abu 'Uthman al-Hiri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:12.789 --> 00:03:15.789 Despising people in your own heart 00:03:15.789 --> 00:03:17.789 Is a disease that cannot be cured. 00:03:17.789 --> 00:03:21.080 Al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:24.080 If you fear vanity regarding your deed, 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:27.080 Then remember whose pleasure you are seeking, 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:29.080 In what bliss you desire, 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:32.080 And from what punishment you fear. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:36.080 At that moment, your deed will seem small in your eyes. 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:41.259 What has been said regarding the intellect and the wise. 00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:47.500 It is reported that Mutarrif ibn 'Abd Allah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:52.539 No servant has been given anything better after faith than intellect. 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:55.759 Wahb ibn Munabbih, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:58.759 I found in some of what Allah revealed 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.759 To His prophets: 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:03.789 That Satan has never struggled with anything 00:04:03.789 --> 00:04:06.789 More difficult for him than a wise believer. 00:04:06.789 --> 00:04:09.789 He struggles with a hundred thousand ignorant people, 00:04:09.789 --> 00:04:11.789 Mocking them, 00:04:11.789 --> 00:04:13.789 Until he rides upon their necks, 00:04:13.789 --> 00:04:16.790 And they are led by him wherever he wishes. 00:04:16.790 --> 00:04:19.790 But he struggles with the wise believer, 00:04:19.790 --> 00:04:21.790 And it becomes difficult for him, 00:04:21.790 --> 00:04:24.790 Until he gains nothing from him. 00:04:24.790 --> 00:04:27.980 Some sages said: 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:30.980 Whoever does not guard himself with his intellect against his own intellect 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:32.980 Will perish by his own intellect. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:36.139 Ibn Muflih, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.139 This is a statement of the utmost excellence. 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:41.660 It is said: 00:04:41.660 --> 00:04:45.660 Whoever does not let his intellect prevail over his desires, 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:49.660 His destruction will lie in those very desires. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:52.850 It was said to Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:04:53.850 --> 00:04:55.850 "Who is the most enviable of people?" 00:04:55.850 --> 00:04:58.850 He replied, "The wisest of them." 00:04:58.850 --> 00:05:00.850 It was said, "The most knowledgeable of them?" 00:05:00.850 --> 00:05:03.850 He replied, "The wisest of them." 00:05:03.850 --> 00:05:07.100 From Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:12.100 He said, "Do not judge a man's intellect by his speech, 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:16.100 But judge his intellect by how he handles his affairs." 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:20.459 Waki' ibn al-Jarrah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:24.459 The wise person is the one who understands his affairs from Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:27.459 Not the one who is merely clever in managing his worldly life. 00:05:27.459 --> 00:05:30.839 Some sages said: 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:35.839 A wise person should not expose his intellect to examine everything, 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:40.839 Just as he should not strike at everything with his sword. 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:45.129 Ibn Jurayj, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:05:45.129 --> 00:05:47.129 A person's foundation is his intellect, 00:05:47.129 --> 00:05:50.129 And there is no religion for one who has no intellect. 00:05:50.129 --> 00:05:52.579 The poet spoke the truth: 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:56.579 When a person's intellect is complete, his affairs are complete, 00:05:56.579 --> 00:06:00.579 His aspirations are fulfilled, and his character is sound. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:03.089 Some Arabs said: 00:06:03.089 --> 00:06:07.089 The things that most assist in sharpening the intellect 00:06:07.089 --> 00:06:09.089 Are learning. 00:06:09.089 --> 00:06:12.089 And the clearest evidence of a wise person's intellect 00:06:12.089 --> 00:06:14.089 Is sound management. 00:06:14.089 --> 00:06:17.250 Ibn al-Muqaffa', may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:06:17.250 --> 00:06:22.279 The wise person must not belittle any error in judgment, 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:24.279 Any slip in knowledge, 00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:26.279 Or any negligence in affairs. 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:29.279 For whoever belittles a small thing 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:33.279 Will likely accumulate small thing upon small thing, 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:35.279 Until the small becomes great. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:40.279 These are but cracks caused by incapacity and neglect; 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:42.279 If they are not sealed, 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:46.279 They are likely to burst into something unbearable. 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:48.410 We have never seen anything 00:06:48.410 --> 00:06:52.410 That was not brought down by a small thing that was taken lightly. 00:06:52.410 --> 00:06:57.470 We have seen kingdoms brought down by a despised enemy, 00:06:57.470 --> 00:07:02.569 We have seen health destroyed by a disease that was ignored, 00:07:02.569 --> 00:07:07.569 And we have seen rivers burst forth from a stream that was underestimated. 00:07:07.569 --> 00:07:13.819 The wise person must be cautious of an opinion for which he finds no supporter, 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:16.920 Even if he thinks he is certain. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:19.920 And the wise person should not underestimate anyone. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:23.949 The most deserving of not being underestimated are three: 00:07:23.949 --> 00:07:27.949 The pious, the rulers, and one's brothers. 00:07:27.949 --> 00:07:32.980 For whoever underestimates the pious ruins his religion, 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:36.980 Whoever underestimates the rulers ruins his worldly life, 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:42.180 And whoever underestimates his brothers corrupts his honor. 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, 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:49.180 Nor asking someone he fears will refuse him, 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:53.180 Nor promising what he cannot fulfill, 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.180 Nor hoping for what he will be rebuked for seeking, 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:00.180 Nor undertaking what he fears he is incapable of. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:06.339 There is no wisdom for one whose worldly pleasures distract him from his afterlife. 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. 00:08:13.370 --> 00:08:15.689 He, may Allah have mercy on him, also said: 00:08:15.689 --> 00:08:20.720 Know that there is a type of caution in affairs that is called prudence, 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:23.720 And another type that is called cowardice. 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:28.720 If you can avoid a matter before you become involved in it, 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:30.720 Then do so; 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:32.720 For this is prudence. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:36.720 Do not plunge into it and then fear it, 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.720 For this is cowardice. 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. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:51.309 The concern of the salaf regarding thoughts and reflections. 00:08:51.309 --> 00:08:55.399 Masruq, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.399 Whoever is mindful of Allah regarding the thoughts of his heart, 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:02.399 Allah will protect him in the movements of his limbs. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.690 It was said to Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:09:05.690 --> 00:09:08.690 "When does a servant take hold of an intention?" 00:09:08.690 --> 00:09:13.690 He replied, "When it becomes a firm resolve, he takes hold of it." 00:09:13.690 --> 00:09:18.039 Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:22.070 Beware, may Allah have mercy on you, of these vain wishes, 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. 00:09:28.070 --> 00:09:30.389 Some of them said: 00:09:30.389 --> 00:09:33.389 High aspiration is the precursor to all things. 00:09:33.389 --> 00:09:37.389 Whoever has a sound aspiration and is truthful in it, 00:09:37.389 --> 00:09:42.389 All his subsequent deeds and states will be sound.