Words to Consider

Consider, may Allah (swt) have mercy on you, the admonition and the lesson contained in what Ibn Abee Haatim ar-Razee narrates, he said : I entered into Damascus upon the students of hadith and i passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo'ee. I found a group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearence amazed me and I heard him saying :

'Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your time:
- When you are present you are not known;
- When you are absent you are not missed;
- When you are seen your advice is not sought;
- When you say something your saying is not accepted; and
- When you have knowledge you are not given anything for it.

I also advise you with five things :
- When you are treated unjustly then do not behave unjustly;
- When you are praised then do not become happy;
- When you are criticised do not be upset;
- When you are not believed then do not become angry;
- And if they act deceitfully towards you do not deceitfully towards them.'

Ibn Abee Haatim said : So i took that as my benefit from Damascus.
The reason to why i posted this is because of the hidden words, yet the most important ones we need to understand: when you are criticised do not be upset. I only wish to say this due to my concern for you, please if anyone criticise you, regardless of how- may it be in a really harsh manner, or in areally beautiful one- take the advice, ponder about it, accept it and then act upon it. A women entered Jahannam (Hell) because of a cat she was careless about , so pay heed  to the golden raindrops you are blessed with. And do not be blinded by the manners of people. Even the ugliest people in behavior are indeed a rahmah (blessing) for you when they criticize you.

May Allah subhanah guide us all.

Collected from the magazine
Benefits of the Day, issue 1