“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…”
“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…”
Muslims are no strangers to the struggle and the ups and downs that come with maintaining a good relationship with Allah (swt) and strong faith. In societies where temptations of that which we are ordained to abstain from seem to linger behind our thoughts and actions, it is difficult to form that daily reminder on our own. A lot of times, when we feel we are in a drought when it comes to our faith, it is the smallest of reminders that have the greatest impacts. At the end of the day, the only person who will grow closer to Allah (swt) is the person who changes the bad within himself. No one can change the state of your heart if you do not wish to do so.
“…Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” [13:11]
We have so many role models we can look up to that have appeared throughout Islamic history, and Ali Ibn Abu Taleb is certainly one of them. Here are some of his pearls of wisdom that can help spark that change that you seek.
On Good & Evil
“The doer of good is better than the good itself. And the doer of evil is worse than the evil itself.”
Nahjul Balagha
On Mercy
“If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by His Mercy, he would never raise his head from (the state of) prostration.”
Tasnif al-Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 175
On Delaying Repentance
“How numerous procrastinators there are who postpone (repenting and doing good deeds) until when death overtakes them!”
Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 240
On Being Good-Tempered
Ali ibn Abu Taleb (peace be upon him) told his son, Hassan ibn Ali (peace be upon him): “O my son! No wealth is more valuable than intelligence and no poverty is similar to ignorance; no terror is worse than arrogance, and no life is more pleasant than being good-tempered.”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 111
On Fearing God
“Fear! Fear! By Allah, He has hidden your sins so much so as though He has forgiven.”
Nahjul Balagha
On Good Behavior
“Good behavior lies in three traits: Avoiding unlawful things, acquiring the lawful ones, and being fair to one’s family members.”
Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 71, p. 394
On Ego
“You should avoid self-admiration, having reliance upon what appears good in yourself, and love of exaggerated praise because this is one of the most reliable opportunities for Satan.”
Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 298
On Purification
“The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim.”
Sunan Abu Dawood, 61
On Relations
“Meet people in such a manner that if you die they should weep for you and if you live they should long for you.”
Nahjul Balagha
On Disobeying God
“O’ son of Adam, when you see that your Lord, the Glorified, bestows His favors on you while you are disobeying Him, you should fear Him.”
Nahjul Balagha
