كن بعدوك العاقل أوثق منك بصديقك الجاهل
Have more trust in a rational enemy than in a stupid friend.
This is because a stupid friend may reveal your secrets, embarrass you, and get you into trouble.
المتعبد بغير علم كحمار الطاحونة, يدور ولا يبرح من مكانه
A worshiper without knowledge is like the mill donkey; it rotates but it does not leave its place.
من زهد هانت عليه المحن
Asceticism helps you bear disasters easily.
The Imam says that asceticism (which is avoidance of worldly pleasures) helps you manage your way through tragedies and life trials easily. This is because ascetics are emotionally less attached to worldly pleasures and therefore have a strong foundation of patience and inner strength.
“Splendid exterior” means eloquent words and verses. “Obscure interior” means deep meaning and several layers of interpretation.
Don’t overload your day with worry about sustenance of the coming year, be ***- ***- *ed with whatever given to you today. If the coming year is part of your life then Allah almighty will bring you in every new day your sustenance, but if it is not part of your life then why are you worried about something which is not yours?
To understand what the Imam says you have to understand what the Arabic word ( رزق) means, which roughly translates to sustenance or livelihood.
Honesty saves you, even if you fear it.
Befriending evil people makes you evil, just like the wind: if it passes through a stinking place, it carries a stinking smell.
In other words: if you think that your money will save you from death, then you are wrong. This saying points to the inevitability of death.
إن القرآن ظاهره أنيق وباطنه عميق لا تفنى عجائبه ولا تنقضي غرائبه ولا تكشف الظلمات إلا به
Quran has a splendid exterior and an obscure interior. Its wonders don’t end, its marvels don’t finish, and darkness can only by illuminated by it
Imam Ali tells you that if you want to come out of darkness which surrounds your life, then the only guide which you can use is Quran.
سهر الليل في طاعة الله ربيع الأولياء وروضة السعداء
Staying awake at night to worship Allah is springtime for holy persons and a garden for the happy.
Worshiping Allah at night means performing (صلاة الليل); which roughly translates to (prayer of the night). This prayer is not mandatory for Muslims but it is highly regarded and is considered one of the best ways to perfect the soul and get closer to Allah.
Imam Ali himself performed this prayer regularly. And since he knows its benefits for the yearning soul, he recommends it for all worshipers and seekers of the truth.
لا تحمل على يومك هم سنتك كفاك كل يوم ما قدر لك فيه فإن تكن السنة من عمرك فإن الله سبحانه سيأتيك في كل غد جديد ما قسم لك وإن لم تكن من عمرك فما همك بما ليس لك
The Imam urges us not to worry too much (or may be not worry at all) about sustenance. Worry being the unnecessary and excessive concern, which is a modern day affliction for all of us ordinary people. He says if tomorrow is part of your life then Allah will bring you food-***- *ter-clothing-etc…, but if you will not live till tomorrow then why are you concerned about food which you will not be able to eat?
الصدق ينجيك وإن خفته
الصبر كفيل بالظفر
Patience insures victory.
لا تفرح بالغنى والرخاء ولا تغتم بالفقر والبلاء فإن الذهب يجرب بالنار والمؤمن يجرب بالبلاء
Don’t be happy with wealth and comfort, and don’t be unhappy with poverty and suffering, because gold is tested with fire, and the believer is tested with trials.
العقل ثوب جديد لا يبلى
The mind is a new dress that never wears out.
أعدى عدو للمرء غضبه وشهوته فمن ملكهما علت درجته وبلغ غايته
The fiercest enemies of any human are his own anger and craving, and whoever controls them will ascend and reach his purpose.
Craving is the literal translation from the Arabic word: الشهوة . In this quote it includes the variety of human desires: appetite for food, sexual desire, seeking power and fame, etc…
A distinction must be drawn here between seeking and satisfying the necessary desires of a human being (which the Islamic jurisprudence allows us to do), and the overwhelming addiction to lust, power, food, etc…, which is not normal. The latter is what the Imam refers to as your enemy, not the former.
Anger is also considered to be an enemy, and this quote is in line with the modern wave of anger management techniques and efforts.
The Imam is warning us about those two enemies, they are dangerous because they are fierce and invisible. He also shows us our purpose in life: to win the battle against anger and demonic desires, and this winning results in reaching spiritual
perfection and ascent into Heaven
نفس المرء خطاه إلى أجله
Ones breathing is his footsteps to death
In other words: you are one step closer to death after you take your next breath.
العفاف يصون النفس وينزهها عن الدنايا
Chastity protects the self and lifts it above shame.
.
من سأل في صغره أجاب في كبره
He who asks while young, answers while old.
Asking means: inquiring, questioning and searching for knowledge.
صحبة الأشرار تكسب الشر كالريح إذا مرت بالنتن حملت نتنا
The Imam means by evil people: people who are morally corrupt, bad and wicked.
إذا رأيت مظلوما فأعنه على الظالم
If you you see an oppressed person, help him against the oppressor.
لو أن الموت يشترى لإشتراه الأغنياء
If death can be bought, then wealthy people would have bought it.
الحكمة شجرة تنبت في القلب وتثمر على اللسان
Wisdom is a tree which grows in the heart and fruits on the tongue.
Wisdomdevelops and grows in the heart, resulting in wise quotes told by the sages.
الصمت وقار وسلامة
Silence is composure and safety.
مختارات من حكم علي بن ابي طالب مترجمة
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