Wisdom of The Holy Prophet — Page 58
58 WISOOM OF THE HOLY. PROPHET 11. Do not be of those wh:J say: If others do good we shall also do good, but if they transgress we shall do like wise. Follow your own rule: If others dp good you do the same, but if they do ill you refrain from transgression. 12. The best of people is he who is blessed with long life and is of good conduct. 13. Undertake high endeavour but take advantage of proper concessions. Do not associate with too many people, for you have been spared the need of such association. 14. Restrain your tongue and your passions and you will enter Paradise. 15. Restore the ties of kinship with him who has cut them asunder; be gracious towards him who treats you ill and affirm the truth, even if it is against yourself. 16. He who refutes a charge made against an absent brother, will be shielded by Allah against the Fire. 17. To attribute to another that which you wpuld not like another to attribute to you, is backbiting. 18. Let me tell you what evil calumny is; it is back biting which sows enmity between people. 19. Allah is so incensed when a wicked person is praised that the Throne is rocked. 20. Of two who abuse each other blame attaches to the one who starts, so long as the one who is wronged does not transgress against him. 21. The most outrageous calumny is that a person's paternity should be attributed to someone who is not his father, or a person should say he is an eye-witness of some thing he has not seen, or that a person should attribute to me that which I have not said. 22. Hold fast to contentment, for it is enduring wealth. 23. I am not as afraid on your account of poverty as I am of affluence, like the affluence of those who have gone before you, for you may get involved with it as they became involved and it may ruin you as it ruined them. 24. Rancour and jealousy consume good actions as fire consumes fuel.