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 life is departing and the hereafter is approaching and each of them has its children. So be children of the hereafter, not children of this world, for today there are (opportunities to do) deeds and there is no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be reckoning and no deeds.

Al-Hâfidh Ibn Hajr states in Fath Al-Bârî:

Extensive hopes (about this worldly life) give rise to lethargy when it comes to acts of obedience, procrastinating with repentance, desire for worldly things, forgetfulness of the hereafter and hardness of the heart; because the softness of the heart and its purity only comes about by remembering death, the grave, reward and punishment, and the horrors of the hereafter…for if one remembers death, he strives to do acts of obedience, his worries decrease and he is satisfied with less.

Ali ibn abi Taalib (Radi’Allaahu `anhu). Quoted by Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh, The Book of Raqâ`iq without the first sentence. Reported in its entirety by Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol.1 p40, and others.

Don’t ever leave off making du’aa nor allow what [bad deeds] you commit to prevent you from it, for indeed Allaah answered the du’aa of Iblees (the Devil) and he is the most evil of creation [when he said to Allaah] “Grant me respite until the Day in which they will be resurrected.’ He (Allaah) said, ‘Indeed you are from those who are granted respite.’ [7:14-15]

Ibn `Uyaynah (Rahimahullaah), Ash-Shu’aab 2/1147

Do not find slow the answer to your du’aas when you have shut off its path with your sins.

Yahyaa Ibn Mu’aadh (Rahimahullaah), As-Siyar, 13/15

Why Do Some People Become Ugly?

By Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah)

“The person who is righteous and honest, his honesty is manifest from the radiance on his face, and his honesty can be known from the glow that is on his face, likewise the (opposite for the) sinful one and the liar. The older a person gets, the more this sign becomes apparent. Thus a person as a child would have a bright face, however if he becomes a sinful person, adamant on committing sins, at the older stages in his life, an ugly face would manifest that which he used to internalise, and the opposite is also true.

It has been narrated that Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) said,

‘Indeed righteousness illuminates the heart, radiates the face, strengthens the body, increases provision, and produces a love in the hearts of the creation for that person. Whereas sinfulness darkens the heart, greys the face, weakens the body, and produces hatred in the hearts of the creation for that person.’

It is possible that a person may not intentionally lie; he may even be a person who makes great effort in ibaadah and has zuhd (abstains from pleasures of this life that are lawful). However he has false, incorrect ‘aqeedah regarding either Allaah, His deen or His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or His righteous servants. And what is on the inside affects what is on the outside. Thus, this false, incorrect ‘aqeedah that he thought was true and correct reflects on his face, and his face would be dark in accordance with the level of falsehood he possesses.

As it has been narrated that ‘Uthmaan ibn Affaan (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) said,

‘No one ever hides evil within themselves except that Allaah makes it manifest from his facial outlook and the statements his tongues utters.’

Hence some of the salaf used to say,

‘If a person of innovation were to dye his beard every day, the dye of innovation would remain on his face.’

On the day of judgment this would be very clear as Allaah says,

“And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allaah their faces will be black. Is there not in Hell an abode for the arrogant ones?” [Sooratuz-Zumar, 39:60]

He ta’ala also said,

“On the Day when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become dark (to them will be said): “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment for rejecting Faith.” [Soorah Aali-Imraan, 3:106]

Ibn Abbaas and others have said regarding this verse,

‘The bright faces will be ahlus-sunnah, and dark faces will be the people of bid’ah and division.’

Source: Al-Jawaab As-Saheeh’ (Vol.4, pg. 306-307)

By Allaah, if it was possible for me not to sleep, I would not sleep out of fear that the punishment would descend and I am asleep.

By Allaah, if I had some helpers, I would spread them out among the Dunyaa and give them orders to cry out to the people, ‘O mankind, the Fire! The Fire!

Maalik Ibn Deenar, Al-Ihyaa, 4/567

Ar-Rabî’ bin Subaih narrated that a man said to al-Hasan: O Abû Sa’îd I see something I dislike, Abû Sa’îd replied: what is that? He said:” I see people attending your place looking for any mistake you make so they can spread it amongst people to ruin your reputation. Al-Hasan replied: O’ My nephew: Do not let this matter be heavy on your chest and bother you. I will tell you what is greater and surprising than that. The man replied: what is that, uncle? He said: “I obeyed myself in every aspect that gets me closer to Allâh, hoping to enter Jannah, be saved from hell-fire and to be with the prophets. However, I never obeyed myself when it comes to listen to what people has say i.e. backbiting, slandering or whatever is evil. You need to know that if anyone has to be preserved from people’s tongues evilness then it has to be the creator who created them. Thus, knowing that, the created is normally to be never protected from their evil tongues.

Sayings of the Salaf

Whoever knows and realize that his words, which he utters, are part of his deeds, he surely will speak only with what concerns him.

‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-’Aziz (rahimahullaah)

Al-Hasan Al-Basree (Rahimahullaah) said:

“Beware of entering upon a day having tomorrow or other future days as your main concern and worry.

(If you do so), you will increase in anxiety and difficulty, and you will wish to collect during your day, what will suffice you for several days. How stupid! One ends up being preoccupied, one’s grief gets worse and one’s toil and labour becomes great.

And the slave ends up neglecting doing (good) deeds as a result of these hopes (he has in tomorrow and the future days).”

[Al-Hilyah by Aboo Nu’aym, 2/139]

Muwwarraq Al ’Ajli said:

“I have been asking my Lord for a thing in 20 years. And I have still not received it, and nor have I given up hope.”

Adab Shar’iyyah, 2/286.

When Bishr al-Hafi abandoned narrating hadeeth in a gathering, the people said to him: ‘What are you going to say to your Lord when He asks you ‘Why did you abandon narrating to the people the statements of My Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)?!’ …He (rahimahullah) said,

‘I will say, O my Lord. You have commanded me to do it with sincerity but I did not find that in me.’

(Ta’tir al-Anfas min Hadith al-Ikhlas)

(Source: nonchalante, via nonchalante)

It is reported that Al-Fudayl ibn Ayyad (rahimahullaah ta’ala) said:

The believer speaks little and does a lot, whereas the hypocrite (munafiq) speaks a lot and does little. When the believer speaks, it is with wisdom, when he is silent, it is in deep thought, when he sees, he takes lessons, and when he acts, it is a cure. If this is the way you are, then you are in the constant worship (of your Lord).

Abu Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliya` 8:98.

Prepare for death yourself [Kutbah of `Uthmaan]

It is narrated that ‘Uthmân b. Áffân – Allâh be pleased with him – said in a sermon:

Son of Adam! Know that the angel of death who has been assigned to you has not ceased to pass you and move on to others, ever since you have been in this world. But it is as if he is about to pass someone else and move on to target you, so be careful and prepare for him (by correcting your deeds). And do not forget him, for he does not forget you. And know o son of Adam, if you are heedless about yourself and do not prepare, no one else will prepare for you. You must meet Allah the Mighty and Majestic, so take for yourself and do not leave it to someone else. Peace be on you.

[x] Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-Ílm 2: 73, 74.

Sit only in the company of one who advises you to desire little from this world and who encourages you to put your hopes in the Hereafter. Take care not to sit with worldly people who speak constantly about worldly affairs; such people will ruin your religious well-being and will corrupt your heart.

Sufyaan Ath-Thauree, [rahimullaah]