- If our hearts were truly pure, we would never have our fill of the words of your Lord.[1]
- No one conceals something in his heart, but Allah causes it to be seen on his face or in a slip of the tongue.[2]
- Things may be achieved by means of authority that cannot be achieved by means of the Qur’ân.[3]
- ‘Uthmân (ra) did not attach much importance to this world, of which he said: Concern with this world is darkness in the heart, but concern with the Hereafter is light in the heart.[4]
- It is sufficient for you that the one who envies you is distressed at the time of your joy.[5]
- During the days of turmoil he (ra) said: I ask Allah for forgiveness if I have done wrong, and I have already forgiven if I have been wronged by others.[6]
- Everything has something to undermine it, and every blessing has something to diminish it. The thing that undermines this religion and diminishes this blessing is those who criticize a great deal and those who stab in the back; they show you what you want to see and they conceal that which you dislike. They are wicked like ostriches.[7]
- When ‘Abd-Allah ibn az-Zubayr came with news of the conquest of North Africa, Uthmân ibn ‘Affân (ra) told him to stand up and give a speech. When he had finished speaking, ‘Uthmân said: Marry women for what their fathers and brothers are, for I have not seen any of the sons of Abu Bakr who are more like him than this one.[8] The mother of ‘Abd-Alläh ibn az-Zubayr was Asma’ bint Abi Bakr, and he meant that In az-Zubayr was like his grandfather in courage, bravery and eloquence.[9]
- No one does a good deed but Allah will make it show on him.[10]
- The believer has five types of fear. The first is that Allâh may take his faith away from him; the second is that the recording angels may write down something that may expose him on the Day of Resurrection; the third is that the shaytân may cause his deeds to become invalid; the fourth is that the Angel of Death may come to him without warning; and the fifth is that this world may tempt him and distract him from the Hereafter.[11]
- I have found the sweetness of worship in four things. The first is in performing the obligatory acts of worship enjoined by Allah; the second is in avoiding the things forbidden by Allah; the third is enjoining that which is good, seeking the reward of Allah; and the fourth is forbidding that which is evil, fearing the wrath of Allâh.[12]
[The Biography of Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 133-135]
Notes:
[1] Jâmi’ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hikam, p. 363
[2] Fara’id al-Kalâm li’l-Khulafa’ al-Kirâm, p. 269
[3] al- Kâmil fill-Lughah wal-Adab, 1/157
[4] al-Isti’ad li Yawm al-Mi’ad, p. 9
[5] Majma’ al-Amthal by al-Maydâni, 2/453
[6] Tareekh Khalefah ibn Khayyat, p. 171
[7] Majma’ al-Amthal by al-Maydâni, 20/ 453
[8] al-Bayân wa’t-Tabyeen, 2/95
[9] Fara’id al-Kalâm, p. 271
[10] az-Zuhd by Imam Ahmad, p. 185
[11] Farà’id al-Kalâm li’1-Khulafa’ al-Kirâm, p. 278
[12] ibid.
