The ignorant one is dead, and the forgetful one is asleep, and the sinner is intoxicated, and the one who insists [upon remaining so] will perish.
Category: Words of Wisdom
Practice patience
There is no aid other than [from] Allaah, and no guide other than the Messenger of Allaah, and no provision other than taqwa, and no act [to be undertaken] other than [to remain] patient upon it.
Distinguished character
Ahmad ibn Hanbal was extremely shy and modest, and of distinguished character, and liked [being] overly generous.
A believer will never be complete until…
A believer will never be complete until he prefers his religion over his desires, and he will never perish until he prefers his desires over his religion.
Pious companions
ar-Rabee’ [ibn Khuthaym] was the most pious of the companions of ‘Abdullaah.
The most dishonest of the people
The most dishonest of the people is the one who returns to his sins [after repenting for them]…
How many times have you lied?
I only [ever] lied once. ‘Umar asked me about a garment, [and] how much I got it for. So I [lied and] dropped its price by two thirds.
No illness is more dangerous than telling lies
There are no provisions better than taqwa, and nothing is better than silence, and no enemy is more harmful than ignorance, and no illness is more dangerous than telling lies.
Out of respect for him
When Khaalid ibn Ma’daan would sit, none amongst [those who had gathered] was able to mention [anything of] the dunyaa in his presence, out of respect for him.
5,000 or more in attendance, learning
And in the gatherings of Ahmad [ibn Hanbal], there would be about 5,000 or more, with about 500 [of them] writing, while the rest would be learning good manners [from him].