Twelve pearls selected from the book “Al-Akhlāq wa Al-Siyar fi Mudawāh Al-Nufūs” [The characteristics and the lifestyles in regards to the treatment of the heart] by Imam Ibn Hazm (D. 456 AH). These points are in regards to characteristics, upbringing and social conduct.
- The greatest knowledge is whatever brings you closer to your creator and whatever helps you in attaining His pleasure.
- Whoever wants justice he should blame himself rather than his opponent.
- Do not neglect the person who has a keen interest towards you as that is one of the gates of injustice.
- Do not show an interest towards the one who doesn’t have any interest towards you, lest you become disgraced and disappointed.
- Do not burden your friend in making him spend for you unless it is the equivalent of what you have spent on him. If you ask for more than that, you are an oppressor.
- Do not pass on to your friend that which can be painful for him, such that by informing him about it he will not be benefited, as this is the habit of the lowly people. Do not conceal from him that which can be harmful for him if he doesn’t know about it, as this is the habit of the evil people.
- Meeting with people removes any hatred and looking eye to eye repairs the hearts.
- The trial of getting closer to someone you dislike is the same as the trial of going away from someone you love.
- Beware of praising yourself, for indeed everyone who hears will not believe you even though you are truthful. Rather, by praising yourself it is the first of your faults.
- Be content with whoever is with you and those who are with you will be content with you.
- Disregarding people’s comments is the greatest door of intelligence and peace, in fact, it is the door of all intelligence and peace.
- In terms of wealth, condition and health look at someone who is below you and in terms of religion, knowledge and virtues look at whoever is above you.
(Translated by the students)
