Quotes from book
Nahj al-Balagha

Ali

The Nahj al-Balagha is the most famous collection of sermons, letters, tafsirs and narrations attributed to Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. It was collected by Sharif Razi,

“Whoever wants to be a leader should educate himself before educating others. Before preaching to others he should first practice himself. Whoever educates himself and improves his own morals is superior to the man who tries to teach and train others.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“I am less than what you tell about me but more than what you think about me”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha
Context: A man sarcastically started praising Imam Ali, though he had no faith in him and Imam Ali hearing these praises from him said "I am less than what you tell about me but more than what you think about me."

“Remember that this world which you covet so ardently and attempt to acquire so earnestly, and which sometimes annoys you and sometimes pleases you so much, is neither your home nor a permanent destination. You have not been created for it, nor invited to it as your resting-place. It shall neither remain with you for ever, nor will you remain in it eternally. If it has enticed you away with its charrns, it has also warned and cautioned you of real dangers lurking in its folds. Take account of the warnings it has given you and do not be seduced or deceived by its allurements. Let these warnings frighten you from being too greedy to possess it. Try to advance towards the place where you are invited for eternal bliss and turn your face away from the vicious world.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Defend your faith (in Allah) with the help of charity. Protect your wealth with the aid of Zakat. Let the prayers guard you from calamities and disasters.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“A fool's mind is at the mercy of his tongue and a wise man's tongue is under the control of his mind.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

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

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Do not feel ashamed to forgive and forget.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 53: An order to Malik Al-Ashtar
Variant: The best deed of a great man is to forgive and forget.

“Value of a man depends upon his courage; his veracity depends upon his self-respect and his chastity depends upon his sense of honor.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“One who imagines himself to be all-knowing will surely suffer on account of his ignorance.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Aid (from Allah) is in proportion to the trouble.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Wealth converts a strange land into homeland and poverty turns a native place into a strange land.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“One who rushes madly after inordinate desire, runs the risk of encountering destruction and death.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Do not hurry over punishments and do not be pleased and do not be proud of your power to punish.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 53: An order to Malik Al-Ashtar

“Recommended prayers cannot attain the pleasures of Allah for you when obligatory prayers are left unattended.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small because to refuse the needy is an act of greater shame.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“When truth was revealed to me I never doubted it.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

“One who forsakes truth earns eternal damnation.”

Ali book Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha

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