Reminders from our Predecessors

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله: “Do not carry the worries of this life because this is for Allāh. And do not carry the worries of sustenance because it is from Allāh. And do not carry anxiety for the future because it is in the Hands of Allāh. Carry one thing; pleasing Allāh. Because if you please Him, He pleases you, fulfils you and enriches you.”

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“If the heart is troubled and worried it has nothing to be comforted with, ‎except the remembrance of Allāh.” ‎[Madaarij as-Salikeen | 3/72]

‎Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله: “Whoever reflects upon the dunya and hereafter will know that he cannot attain one of them except with difficulty, so let him bare the difficulty for the one that is better and more lasting." ‎[al-Fawā’id | Pg. 37]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“Man almost forgets the knowledge he has gained because of the sins he has committed.” ‎[Al-Fawa'id | Pg. 248]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله: “The reason for which a servant of Allāh prays and feels encouraged to pray should be his intention to draw closer to Allāh; his love for Him, his wish to seek his pleasure and closeness; his compliance with His Command to pray; hence there is nothing from this worldly life that ever encourages him to pray. Rather, he prays only to seek the pleasure of his Lord the Most High whom he loves and fears, and whose reward and forgiveness he seeks.” [Heartfelt Advice to a Friend by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah رحمه الله]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“Beware of two enemies, which were the cause of the doom of many creatures: he who keeps away from Allah and acts on his suspicions, and he who is fascinated by this worldly life and the power he has obtained.” ‎[al-Fawaa'id | P. 129]

📌 The pain of what has passed: Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله writes: “(The pain) of what has passed can not be removed by grieving over it, but only through: • Acceptance (i.e. being pleased with Allaah's Decree) (al-Ridhaa) • Gratitude (al-Hamd) • Patience (al-Sabr) • Faith in Predestination (al-Imaan bil-Qadr) and the saying of the slave: “It is the decree of Allāh and what He Wills, He Does” (قَدَّرَ اللَّهُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ)." [Zaad al-Ma`aad | 2-327]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“There is nothing on earth that badly needs to be imprisoned more than the tongue.” ‎[al-Fawā’id | Pg. 249]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: ‎“The parallels to existence in this worldly-life is a mere dream, ‎where a servant is given glimpses of both their desires and their dislikes. ‎Upon awakening, they come to realise the illusory nature of these experiences…” ‎[‘Uddat us-Sābireen]

The one who lets his gaze roam free… Ibn al-Qayyim ‏رحمه الله wrote: “There is nothing more harmful to the believer then letting his gaze free (looking at whatever he/she wants without restriction), for indeed it divides the heart and scatters his affairs, and causes dread between the slave and His Lord.” [ad-Da' wa Dawaa’]