Words from the Heart of ʿUthmān
The wisdoms of ʿUthmān are a selection of brief sayings that touch the human heart, character, and inner discipline. Although each saying may appear as a simple note on its own, behind them lie fundamental issues such as the discipline of the nafs (the lower self), awareness of mortality, knowledge, adab (proper conduct), and maturity of the qalb (the heart).
01
“Allah does not cause one to dream of something He will not grant.”
02
“When you are at ease, how great a vengeance it is for the envious person to be drowned in sorrow.”
03
“I am not a scale that I should never err.”
04
“Indeed, the world is transient and the Hereafter is everlasting. Let not the transient one make you arrogant and rebellious, nor let it divert you from the everlasting one. Prefer the everlasting to the transient. The world is finite; the return is to Allah. Fear Allah.”
05
“Take rightly, give rightly.”
06
“We are in need of an administrator who acts much, rather than a sage who speaks much.”
07
“The decrease of affection among friends is due to worldly interests.”
08
“When you are happy, how great a vengeance it is that the envious person cannot bear it.”
09
“Take heed from the past and strive for good.”
10
“The greatness of the reward is in proportion to the greatness of the trial.”
11
“Give a good admonition to the one who commits a crime; for to be punished in this world is easier than the punishment in the Hereafter.”
12
“The grave is the last station of the world and the first station of the Hereafter. For the one who is punished there, what follows is also bad; for the one who receives goodness there, what follows is also good.”
13
“Even if a person neglects his nafs (the lower self), and poverty becomes unbearable, contentment of the heart frees him from needing others and also beautifies him.”
14
“Prepare for death with the best deeds you are able to perform.”
15
“The best of people is the one who is sinless and acts according to the Book of Allah.”
16
“Hasten to do good deeds before your appointed time (death) arrives.”
17
“Either you endure tribulation and calamity with sabr (patient endurance), or you will regret it.”
18
“Avoid intoxicants, for the key to every evil is intoxicants.”
19
“Every blessing has its trial.”
20
“Fear the Truth to which you will ultimately return, so that you do not fall into fitna (trial) and corruption.”
21
“Guarding the gaze from the unlawful is the finest veil for desire.”
22
“Be patient, otherwise you will regret it.”
23
“There is no true refuge except with Allah.”