Ikhlās

A person has not been true to Allāh, the mighty and sublime, if he loves recognition (fame).

Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, Al-Zuhd article 2240.

Learn knowledge, understand it and benefit from it (live by it); and do not study it in order to decorate yourself with it, for if you live long you will likely see a time when knowledge will be used for beautification like a man beautifies himself with his garments.

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqāʾiq no. 1056.

Safety lies in not wanting to be known.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar Aʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 7:258.

There is no one who loves authority (leadership) except that he envies, transgresses, chases the faults of others and dislikes anyone being mentioned in a good light.

Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm article. 971.

Whoever seeks knowledge sincerely, for the servants of Allāh to benefit by and to benefit himself, then being hidden (from fame) is more beloved to him than seeking loftiness. He is the one who becomes more lowly to himself, strives more in worship, fears Allāh more, yearns for Allāh more, and becomes more humble amongst people. He cares not what he has of this dunyā night or day.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān article 1653.

Whoever tries to make people hear of his deeds, Allāh will make [some] of His creation hear of him (expose him), and belittle him. Ibn ʿUmar then began to cry.

Wakīʿ b. Al-Jarrāḥ, Al-Zuhd #308.

ʿAbd Al-Raḥmān b. Yazīd reports: Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym used to come to ʿAlqamah on the day of Jumuʿah and they would talk. They would call for me and I would come and talk with them. One day, they sent for me and I came. ʿAlqamah said to me, Have you not heard what Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym has come to us with? I replied, And what is that? He said, [Rabīʿ] said a man from the People of Scripture once said to us, Do you not see how much people supplicate but how seldom their prayers are answered? That is because Allāh does not accept except what is sincere and purely for Him. I said, Well ʿAbdullāh [b. Masʿūd] already said the same. He asked, What did he say? I replied, Haven’t you heard him say, By Him other than whom there is none worthy of worship, Allāh does not accept [the deed] of one who seeks to be heard of, or seen, and nor someone who is playing around, [He only accepts the supplication] of one who calls upon Him from the bottom of his heart. He replied, Indeed, [I have heard him say that].

Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd #874.

It is reported from Ḥammād b. Zayd that he said, I never saw a man who used to smile more at people than ʾAyyūb.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 5:17

Three things are from Imān: when a man has nocturnal emission during a cold night, so he gets up – only Allāh sees him – and he has a full wash (ghusl); when a person fasts on a hot day; and when a man prays in a barren land, where none but Allāh sees him.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-Īmān article 51

No man should appoint himself to issue verdicts (fatwa) until and unless he fulfills five characteristics: First, he should have a [firm and good] intention; for if he does not, he will have no light upon him, and nor will his words. Second, he should be forbearing, tranquil and serene. Third, he should be strong upon what he is involved in, strong in its knowledge. Fourth, he should have sufficient means (wealth), otherwise the people will chew him up. Fifth, he should know people and their ways.

Ibn Battah, Ibtāl Al-Hiyal p24.

Never does the servant turn wholeheartedly to Allāh except that Allāh turns the hearts of the believers to him, providing him their love. Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:49. Harim b. Ḥayyān was one of the Successors, deputized by ‘Umar, and known for his devoutness.

Harim b. Ḥayyān was one of the Successors, deputized by ‘Umar, and known for his devoutness.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:540.

Father! How sweet (beautiful) the speech of the Companions is! [Al-Fuḍayl] said, “Son, do you know why it was so sweet?” He replied, “No father, I do not.” He said, “Because they sought Allāh the Exalted when they spoke.” Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-īmān 2:299

Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-īmān 2:299

Sit down. Then he would give a small address: Verily the fasting of this month has been made a duty upon you, and standing in night prayer has not been made a duty upon you, but those amongst you who can stand in prayer should do so, for it is from the extra good deeds about which Allāh told us: so whoever cannot stand in prayer, let him sleep on his bed. And beware of saying: I will fast if so and so fasts and I will stand in night prayer if so and so stands in prayer. Whoever fasts or stands in night prayer, he must make this for Allāh. And you should know that you are in prayer as long as you are waiting for a prayer. Minimize any vain or false speech in the houses of Allāh (mosques; he said this two or three times). Let none of you fast a few days before the month (in order to avoid missing the beginning of the month; he said this three times). And do not fast until you see [the crescent of the new month] unless it is overcast. If it is overcast, count [the previous month] as 30 days. Then do not break your fasts until you see the night upon the mountain (i.e. you are sure the sun has set). ‘Abd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣan’ānī, Al-Muṣannaf article 7748.

‘Abd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣan’ānī, Al-Muṣannaf article 7748.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` Vol.4 p105. It is reported that Abū Al-‘Āliyah said, “I learned writing and the Qur`ān without my family noticing, and not a drop of ink was ever seen on my garment.” Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` Vol. 2 p217. It is reported that when Ibn Abī Laylā prayed [at night], if someone entered [his house], he would lie down on his bed [as if he was sleeping]. Ibid. Vol. 4 p351. It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī used to pray all night and hide it. In the morning, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up. Al-Dhahabī, op. cit. Vol. 6 p17. It is reported that Dāwūd b. Abī Hind fasted for forty years without his family knowing, he would take his lunch out with him and donate it in the street. Ibid. Vol. 6 p378.

Ibid. Vol. 6 p378.

When in a gathering, they used to dislike a person showing the best of what he has. Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Ikhlās wa Al-Nīyah (Sincerity and Intentions) p50.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Ikhlās wa Al-Nīyah (Sincerity and Intentions) p50.

“Allah ‘azza wa jalla accepts only those deeds which are both correct and sincere (pure). If the deed is done correctly but not sincerely, it will not be accepted. And if it is sincere but not correct, it will not be accepted.” He was asked, “Abū ‘Alī! What is the sincere and correct deed?” He replied, “The sincere deed is one that is done only for Allah ‘azza wa jall. And the correct deed is one done according to the Sunnah.” Abū Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.8 p95.

Abū Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.8 p95.

Abū Ḥamzah Al-Thumālī narrates that ‘Alī b. Ḥusayn used to carry bread on his back in the darkness of the night and follow the poor people (to give it to them). He used to say, “Charity in the darkness of the night extinguishes the Lords anger.” ‘Amr b. Thābit reports that when ‘Alī b. Ḥusayn died, they found marks on his back from the sacks of provisions he used to carry at night to the houses of the widows. Shaybah b. Nu’āmah narrates that when ‘Alī b. Ḥusayn died they found out that he used to provide for a hundred (poor) families. Al-Dhahabī in Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā’ under the biography of ‘Alī b. Ḥusayn Zayn Al-‘Ābidīn.

Al-Dhahabī in Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā’ under the biography of ‘Alī b. Ḥusayn Zayn Al-‘Ābidīn.

The fear of showing off and vying with others prevents me from saying much of what could be said. Abdullah b. Mubārak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā’iq Vol. 1 p193, no. 126.

Abdullah b. Mubārak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā’iq Vol. 1 p193, no. 126.

Actions are but by intentions, and everyone will have what he intended. So whoever migrated to Allah and His Messenger, he migrated to Allah and His Messenger. But whoever migrated for some worldly benefit, or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was only to what he migrated to.

Al-Bukhāri, Muslim and others.