Allah is greater than what we can say about him, and His Paradise and His Fire are more than we can describe.
This life in brief
It is reported that some people asked ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – to describe this worldly life (the dunyā). He said:
Do you want a long description or a brief one? They replied, “a brief one.” He said, “Its permissible things (ḥalāl) [lead to] accounts being taken from you, and its forbidden things (ḥarām) [lead to the] Fire. Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 17.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 17.
Also read
Related sayings.
It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib wrote to Salmām Al-Farsī – Allāh be pleased with them both – saying: The likeness of this worldly life (dunyā) is that of a snake: soft to the touch, it will kill you with its poison. So turn away from what impresses you of it, since what […]
It is reported from ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib –Allah be pleased with him – that he said: The thing I fear for you most is following desires and having extensive hopes (about this worldly life). Following one’s desires blocks you from the truth, and having extensive hopes makes you forget the hereafter. Verily, this worldly […]