Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad
Sayings of the Prophet Muhammadpeace and blessings upon him
Selected and Translated by Kabir Helminski
Islam began as something strange, and it will become thus again, as it was at the beginning.
Blessed, therefore, are the strangers.
(He was asked who the strangers are:)
The strangers are those who restore what the people have corrupted of my law,
as well as those who revive what has been destroyed of it.
You will not enter paradise until you believe,
and you will not believe until you love one another.
Let me guide you to something in the doing of which you will love one another.
Give a greeting to everyone among you.
I was delegated as a prophet to perfect moral virtues.
Good character is half of faith.
God is merciful to those who show mercy to others.
Power consists not in being able to strike another,
but in being able to control oneself when anger arises.
Honor your children and thus improve their manners.
The three best things:
to be humble amidst the vicissitudes of fortune;
to pardon when powerful;
and to be generous with no strings attached.
Whoever does not express his gratitude to people will never be grateful to God.
The best people are those who are most useful to others.
Living among others is a cause for blessing,
while seclusion is the cause of torment.
Happy is the person who finds fault with himself
instead of finding fault with others.
From morning until night and from night until morning
keep your heart free from malice towards anyone.
A perfect Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands mankind is safe.
Islam is purity of speech and hospitality.
Every religion has a distinctive virtue
and the distinctive virtue of Islam is modesty.
Greet those whom you know and those whom you don’t know.
When asked what was most excellent in a human being, he answered,
“A friendly disposition.”
The best of God’s servants are those who when seen remind you of God;
and the worst of God’s servants are those who spread tales
to do mischief and separate friends, and look for the faults of the good.
Whoever believes in one God and the Hereafter,
let him speak what is good or remain silent.
He is the best Muslim whose disposition is most liked by his own family.
Respect the guest and do not inconvenience your neighbors.
The faithful are as one person.
If a man complains of a pain in his head, his whole body complains;
and if his eye complains, his whole body complains.
He is not of us who is not affectionate to the little ones
and does not respect the reputation of the old.
Truly, the farthest seat from me on the day of resurrection will be
the garrulous, those who talk glibly, and those who talk tall.
And who is it that talk tall? The vain-glorious.
God is gentle and loves gentleness.
Inscribed on the prophet’s sword:
Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off;
do good to him who does evil to you;
and speak the truth even if it be against yourself.
Whoever restrains his anger when he has the power to show it,
God will give him a great reward.
Backbiting is more grievous than adultery,
and God will not forgive the backbiter until the one wronged has forgiven him.
Keep yourselves far from envy, because it eats up and takes away good actions
as fire consumes and burns the wood.
What actions are most excellent?
To gladden the heart of a human being,
to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted,
to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.
Preserved by Hazrati Ali
Meditation in God is my capital.
Reason and sound logic are the root of my existence.
Love is the foundation of my existence.
Enthusiasm is the vehicle of my life.
Contemplation of Allah is my companion.
Faith is the source of my power.
Sorrow is my friend.
Knowledge is my weapon.
Patience is my clothing and virtue.
Submission to the Divine Will is my pride.
Truth is my salvation.
Worship is my habit.
And in prayer lies the coolness of my eye and my peace of mind.