Following the examples of Muhammad and the past prophets

Greatness and Praise of Allāh

[Greatness of Allāh :] Allāh’s verdict is judicious and full of wisdom. His pleasure implies protection and mercy. He decides with knowledge and forgives with forebearance.

[Praise of Allāh :] O my Allāh! praise be to Thee for what Thou takest and givest and for that from which Thou curest or with which Thou afflictest; praise which is the most acceptable to Thee, the most liked by Thee and…

We do not know the reality of Thy greatness except that we know that Thou art Ever-living and Self-subsisting by Whom all things subsist. Drowsiness or sleep do not overtake Thee, vision does not reach Thee and sight…

We see Thy creation and wonder over it because of Thy might, and describe it as (a result of) Thy great authority; whereas what is hidden from us, of which our sight has fallen short, which our intelligence has not…

He who frees his heart (from all other engagements) and exerts his thinking in order to know how Thou established Thy throne, how Thou created Thy creatures, how Thou suspended the air in Thy skies and how Thou spread…

[A part of the same sermon about hope and fear in Allāh :] He claims according to his own thinking that he hopes from Allāh. By Allāh, the Great, he speaks a lie. The position is that his hope (in Allāh) does not appear…

He hopes big things from Allāh and small things from men but he gives to man (such consideration as) he does not give to Allāh. What is the matter with Allāh, glorified be His praise? He is accorded less (consideration)…

Similarly, if a man fears man he gives him (such consideration) out of his fear which he does not give to Allāh. Thus, he has made his fear for men ready currency while his fear from the Creator is mere deferment or…

[The example of the Holy Prophet :] Certainly, in the Prophet of Allāh — peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him and his progeny — was sufficient example for you and a proof concerning the vices of the world, its…

[The example of Mūsā (Moses) :] If you want, I will, as a second example, relate to you concerning Mūsā, the Interlocutor of Allāh (a.s.) when he said: “O Allāh! I need whatever good Thou mayest grant me.” (Qur’ān,…

[The example of Dāwūd (David) :] If you desire I can give you a third example of Dāwūd (a.s.). He is the holder of the Psalms and the reciter among the people of Paradise. He used to prepare baskets of date palm leaves…

[The example of ‘Īsā (Jesus) :] If you desire I will tell you about ‘Īsā (a.s.) son of Maryam (Mary). He used a stone for his pillow, put on coarse clothes and ate rough food. His condiment was hunger. His lamp at night…

[Following the example of the Holy Prophet :] You should follow your Prophet, the pure, the chaste, may Allāh bless him and his descendants. In him is the example for the follower, and the consolation for the seeker of…

The Prophet used to eat on the ground, and sat like a slave. He repaired his shoe with his hand, and patched his clothes with his hand. He would ride an unsaddled ass and would seat someone behind him. If there was a…

Certainly there was in the Prophet of Allāh all that would apprise you of the evils of this world and its defects, namely that he remained hungry along with his chief companions, and despite his great nearness the…

Therefore, one should follow His Prophet, tread in his footsteps and enter through his entrance. Otherwise he will not be safe from ruin. Certainly, Allāh made Muḥammad — the peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him and…

[The example of himself :] By Allāh, I have been putting patches in my shirts so much that now I feel shy of the patcher. Someone asked me whether I would not put it off, but I said, “Get away from me.” Only in the…