Graceful Refusal

“A graceful refusal is better than a lengthy promise.”

“The best deed of a great man is to forgive and forget.”

“When the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray”.

“Courtesy costs nothing, but buys everything.” 

“Patience ensures victory.” 

“Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety, after all it is only in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly.”

“Dislike in yourself what you dislike in others.”

“A wise man always has something to say, whereas a fool always needs to say something.”

“The nourishment of body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others.” 

“There is no rest for the person who has envy, and there is no love for the person who has bad manners.” 

“You must be humble, as it is one of the greatest [forms of] worship.”

“Not to have a thing is less humiliating than to beg it.” 

“You were ordered to obey to Allah, and you were created to perform good deeds.” 

“When you get sick do not get nervous about it and try as much as possible to be hopeful.” 

“Nothing hurts a good soul and a kind heart more than to live amongst people who cannot understand it.” 

“Life consists of two days, one for you one against you. So when it's for you don't be proud or reckless, and when it's against you be patient, for both days are test for you.” 

“Woman is a delicate creature with strong emotions who has been created by the Almighty God to shoulder responsibility for educating society and moving toward perfection. God created woman as symbol of His own beauty and to give solace (comfort) to her partner and her family.” 

“He who trusts the world, the world betrays him.”

“A brother is like gold and a friend is like diamond. If gold cracks you can melt it and make it just like it was before. If a diamond cracks, it can never be like it was before.” 

“How strange is man that when he is afraid of something he runs away from it, but when he is afraid of Allah, he gets closer to Him.” 

“Backbiting is the attempt of one who is incapable of doing better himself.”

“Surely silence can sometimes be the most eloquent (articulate, powerful) reply.”

“Take care of your tongue like the way you take care of gold and silver.” 

“Beware of speaking too much, for it increases mistakes and engenders boredom.” 

“It’s never the value of water but thirst, it’s never the value of life but death and it’s never about the friendship but trust.” 

“You are master of what you say until you utter it, once you deliver it, you are its captive. Preserve your tongue as you do your gold and money. One word could bring disgrace and the termination of a bliss.”

“Honesty will guide you to goodness, and goodness will invite you to heaven.” 

“Our followers are like bees which live among birds. None of the birds recognize the bees because of their small size and weakness. They would not treat them this way if they realized that these very small bees can carry honey which is very valuable in their stomachs.” 

“You should have hope in God alone and should fear nothing but your sins.” 

“He is the wisest and the most knowing man who advises people not to lose hope and faith in the Mercy of Allah and not to be too sure and over-confident of immunity from His Wrath and Punishment.” 

“Our enemies are not the Jews or the Christians, our enemy is our own ignorance.” 

“If the eyes of a female cry over a man that oppressed her, then the Angels will curse him with every step he walks.” 

“Your friends are three and your enemies are three. Your friends are: your friend, the friend of your friend, and the enemy of your enemy. Your enemies are: your enemy, the enemy of your friend, and the friend of your enemy.” 

“Tears only dry up as a result of hardness of the heart, and the hearts only harden as a result of frequent sinning.” 

“Develop in your heart the feeling of love for your people and let it be the source of kindliness and blessing to them. Do not behave with them like a barbarian, and do not appropriate to yourself that which belongs to them. Remember that the citizens of the state are of two categories. They are either your brethren in religion or your brethren in kind. They are subject to infirmities (sicknesses) and liable to commit mistakes.” 

“Beware! Abstain from shedding blood without a valid cause. There is nothing more harmful than this which brings about one’s ruin. The blood that is willfully shed shortens the life of a state. On the Day of Judgement, it is this crime for which one will have to answer first. So, beware! Do not wish to build the strength of your state on blood for, it is this blood which ultimately weakens the state and passes it into other hands. Before me and my God no excuse for willful killing can be entertained.” 

“In all periods and times when there were no prophets, there were individuals to whom Allah spoke in whispers through their conscience and intellect.” (Hazrat Ali Ibn Abu-Talib AS)