On the authority of Abu Abbas Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
"One day I was behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [riding on the same mount] and he said, “O young man, I shall teach you some words [of wisdom]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah. know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” It was related by At-Tirmidhi.
These words are easy to memorize, clear in meaning so that the wise does not require to interpret them, they are the of the highest forms of explanation. The believer finds their sweetness in his heart which he does not find in the other words, their warmth and coolness flow in his veins and cells, The living conscience receives it with relief out of satisfaction.
I have stood for a long time and admiration for this wonderful style that takes the hearts, one time I was amazed at their miraculous summary, useful verbosity, eloquent similitudes and metaphors that have run more effectively than proverbs and took their proper place in the conscience. Sometimes I see the apparent and hidden meanings of these words, and sometimes I recognize the religious and worldly benefit yielding from applying these rules. I found after meditation that these commandment are like a sea bursting out with wisdom, which overflows with compassion of the teacher of wisdom may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Dr. Mohammed Bakr Ismail
