Hadith
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
ADORNMENT
ANONYMITY
COMPLAINING OF DISTRESS
DEBT
DESIRE AND LONGING
DIGNITY AND REPUTATION
DISAGREEMENT
DISCIPLINE
DISSENSION
EAGERNESS AND LONGING
ERROR AND DEVIATION
FAME AND RENOWN
FLATTERY
GOOD
GOOD CHARACTER
GOOD HEALTH AND THE HEALTHY
GRIEF
HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS
INEPTNESS
INSISTENCE
INTIMACY
JUBILATION
LAPSES
LAUGHTER
LAZINESS AND THE LAZY
LOFTINESS
LOSS OF HOPE133
LUST
MISERY
MISTAKES
MODESTY AND SHAME
NOBLE TRAITS & DEEDS
ONE WHO TURNS BACK AND THE ONE WHO MOVES FORWARD
PEACE OF MIND
PIETY
PLEASURE AND DELIGHT
POWER AND MIGHT
REVEALING & REMOVING DISTRESS
SECLUSION
SEEKING ASSISTANCE
SIGHT, OBSERVATION AND INSIGHT
STATUS AND WORTH
STRENGTHENING ONESELF
STRUGGLING AGAINST THE SELF (JIHAD AN-NAFS)
SUFFERING
THE BELOVED
THE CAUTIOUS
THE DECEIVED
THE DEVOTEE
THE LOSER
THE NEGLIGENT AND NEGLIGENCE
THE OPPRESSED
THE PAUPER AND POVERTY
THE PERPLEXED
THE SEEKER
THE SOUL AND HOLDING IT TO ACCOUNT
THE STRONG
THE WRETCHED AND WRETCHEDNESS
VAIN DESIRE
WEAKNESS
ABANDONING FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH
BEING CUT OFF FROM ALLAH
ESTABLISHING THE COMMAND OF ALLAH
FLEEING TO ALLAH
FORGETTING ALLAH
GETTING CONNECTED TO ALLAH
HOPE IN [THE MERCY OF] ALLAH AND [IN] OTHERS
INTIMACY WITH ALLAH
LENDING TO ALLAH
PROXIMITY TO ALLAH
PUTTING TRUST IN ALLAH
RELYING ON ALLAH
REMEMBRANCE [OF ALLAH] AND THE REMINDER
REPENTANCE AND RETURNING [TO ALLAH]
SEEKING PROTECTION FROM ALLAH
SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF ALLAH
SUBMISSIVENESS AND HUMILITY IN FRONT OF ALLAH, THE MOST HIGH
THE CLOSE FRIENDS AND LOVERS OF ALLAH
THE FOE OF ALLAH
THE ONE WHO IS FORSAKEN BY ALLAH34
THE RIGHTS OF ALLAH, THE MOST HIGH
TRADE AND BUSINESS WITH ALLAH
TURNING TOWARDS ALLAH
DYSLOGIA (THE INABILITY TO EXPRESS ONESELF EFFECTIVELY)
ELOQUENCE
IDLE TALK
JOKING
LOQUACIOUSNESS
MUTENESS
OPINIONS AND THE OPINIONATED52
TALEBEARING
VAIN TALK
ADULTERY
ANGER
ANXIETY
BACKBITING
BEGGING AND ASKING PEOPLE
BELITTLING OTHERS
CONCEIT
CORRUPTION
COWARDICE
DELUSION
DEPRAVITIES
DEPRIVATION AND FRUSTRATION
DESERTION AND ABANDONMENT
DIMWITTEDNESS AND THE DIMWIT
DISDAIN
DISPLEASURE
DIVULGENCE [OF SECRETS]
DOING WRONG TO OTHERS
DOUBT AND MISGIVING
ENMITY AND THE ENEMY
EVIL AND THE WICKED
EXTRAVAGANCE
FABRICATING LIES
FEARING OTHER THAN ALLAH
FIVE BAD QUALITIES
GREED AND THE GREEDY
HARD-HEARTEDNESS
HASTE AND THE HASTY
HAUGHTINESS
HOARDING AND HOARDERS
IDLENESS
IGNOMINY
IMBECILITY
INDOLENCE AND LASSITUDE
INGRATITUDE
INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION
JEALOUSY
LETHARGY
LOATHSOME ACTIONS AND TRAITS
NARRATION AND TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION
NEGLECT
OBSCENITY
ONE WHO IS FED-UP
PLOTS
POLYTHEISM
PRIDE AND BOASTING
RAGE
RANCOR AND PERFIDY
REVENGE
SCHADENFREUDE
SCHEMING
SHAMELESSNESS AND THE SHAMELESS AND IMPUDENCE
SHOWING OFF
SPILLING BLOOD
SPITE AND MALICE AND SPITEFUI
SUPPORTING FALSEHOOD
SUSPICION
THE ARROGANT ONE AND ARROGANCE
THE DISBELIEVER AND DISBELIEF
THE DISGRACE OF A MAN
THE FALSIFIER
THE FRUSTRATED
THE HYPOCRITE AND HYPOCRISY
THE IGNORANT AND THE FOOLISH AND IGNORANCE
THE LIAR AND LYING
THE MISER AND THE AVARICIOUS AND STINGINESS AND AVARICE
THE SCHEMER AND PLOTTER
THE STUBBORN AND STUBBORNNESS
THE TYRANT
THE UNJUST
THE VILE AND VILENESS
THEFT
TO PUT [OTHERS] UNDER OBLIGATION
TREACHERY and ANTIPATHY
VICES AND THOSE WHO COMMIT THEM
VIOLENCE
WANTONNESS
WICKEDNESS AND IMMORALITY
ABSTINENCE [FROM FOOD]
ADMISSION AND CONFESSION OF ONES SINS
ADMONITION
AFFECTION AND FRIENDSHIP
AFFLUENCE AND THE RICH
AID
AMICABLENESS
APOLOGIZING AND OFFERING EXCUSES
ASTUTENESS
ATTENTION
BEING CHEERFUL AND SMILING
BEING INDEPENDENT OF OTHERS
BEING PLEASED AND SATISFIED
BEING SYSTEMATIC IN WORK
CALMNESS AND SOLEMNITY
CHASTITY
CHIVALRY
COMING TO THE AID OF THE AGGRIEVED
COMPETITION
CONSULTATION AND DELIBERATION
CONTENTMENT AND THE CONTENTED
COURAGE AND THE COURAGEOUS
DELIBERATENESS AND ACTING UNHURRIEDLY
DILIGENCE AND STRIVING
EARLY RISING
EMINENCE AND THE EMINENT
ENDEAVOURS
ESTABLISHING TIES AND RELATIONS
FAITH AND THE BELLEVER
FEAR
FORGIVENESS AND PARDON
FREEDOM AND THE FREE
GENEROSITY
GENTLENESS AND SOFTNESS
GIVING AND WITHHOLDING CHARITY
GLORY AND THE HONOURED ONE
GOOD DEEDS
GOOD ETIQUETTE
GOOD TURNS AND BENEVOLENT ACTIONS
GRANDEUR
GRANTING REFUGE TO THE FEARFUL
GRATITUDE AND THE GRATEFUL
GROOMING
HAPPINESS AND JOY
HAPPINESS AND PUTTING JOY IN THE HEARTS
HIGH REGARD
HONOUR AND THE HONOURABLE
HUMILITY
HUNGER
IRRESPONSIBILITY
JUDICIOUSNESS AND THE JODICIOUS
JUSTICE AND THE JUST
LENIENCY AND GENTLENESS
LISTENING AND THE LISTENER
LOWERING THE GAZE
MERCY AND COMPASSION
MODERATION
NOBLENESS AND MUNIFICENCE
OBEDIENCE AND COMPLIANCE
OBEYING COMMANDMENTS
ONE WHO ACTS WITH DELIBERATENESS
PATIENCE AND THE PATIENT
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
PERFECTION
PHYSICAL BEAUTY
PLANNING
PRECAUTION
READINESS AND PREPARATION
REMAINING PURE AND FREE FROM SIN
REMORSE AND REGRET AND THE REMORSEFUL
RENUNCIATION OF WORLDLY PLEASURES56
RESTRAINT
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THOSE WHO PREVENT IT
SEEKING FORGIVENESS
SEEKING JUSTICE
SEEKING WHAT IS BEST
SELF-SACRIFICE
SENSE OF HONOUR AND POSSESSIVENESS
SILENCE
SINCERE ADVICE
SINCERITY AND DEVOTION
STEADFASTNESS
STRIVING AND SEEKING
SUPPLICATION AND THE SUPPLICANT
SUPPORTING THE TRUTH
SUPPRESSING ANGER
TAKING LESSONS AND EXAMPLES
TAKING THE INITIATIVE
THE BEAUTIFUL AND BEAUTY
THE BROTHER, THE FRIEND, THE ASSOCIATE AND THE COMPANION
THE CAREFUL
THE COMPASSIONATE
THE DILIGENT AND THE HARDWORKING
THE EQUITABLE AND EQUITY
THE EXPERIENCED
THE FELICITOUS AND FELICITY
THE FORBEARING AND FORBEARANCE
THE GENEROUS AND GENEROSITY
THE GOD-WARY AND GODFEARING PEOPLE
THE GOOD DOER
THE INTELLIGENT
THE INTERCESSOR AND INTERCEDER
THE MARTYR
THE MIDDLE COURSE
THE NOBLE -MINDED AND MUNIFICENT
THE ONE WHO PRESENTS AN ARGUMENT
THE SAGACIOUS
THE SCHOLAR
THE TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUSTWORTHINESS
THE TRUTHFUL AND TRUTHFULNESS
THE WARNER
TOLERANCE
TURNING BACKWARD
UNDERSTANDING
VEHEMENCE32
VIRTUES AND VICES
Ego THE SOUL AND HOLDING IT TO ACCOUNT
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever obeys his soul kills it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever praises his soul, slays it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who humbles himself is honoured.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever blames his soul, reforms it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever knows himself knows his Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who neglects his soul destroys it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever neglects his soul incurs loss.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who holds himself to account, gains.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The best souls are the purest among them.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever disobeys his soul has awarded it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The guidance of the soul is in opposing it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The worst indigence is poverty of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who is ignorant of his soul neglects it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The greatest mastery is mastery over the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The noble soul is not affected by misfortunes.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The worst thing is being pleased with oneself.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever neglects his soul corrupts his affair.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who reforms his soul gains mastery over it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The greatest affliction is poverty of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who knows himself understands others better.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is pleased with himself angers his Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever protects his soul [from evil] is revered.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who honours his [carnal] soul is abased by it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The misguidance of the soul is in obedience to it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The uprightness of the soul is [in] reduced greed.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever knows himself, his matter becomes sublime.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who fears for his soul does not oppress others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever trusts his [carnal] soul is betrayed by it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who holds himself to account becomes felicitous.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever considers himself to be great is humiliated.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is displeased with himself pleases his Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever loathes his [carnal] soul is loved by Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not reform himself cannot reform others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever accuses himself has indeed overpowered Satan.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Blessed be the soul that fulfils its duty to its Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
None abases his [carnal] soul but the intelligent one.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The corruption of the soul is [caused by] vain desire.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever abases his [carnal] soul is honoured by Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Your [carnal] soul is the closest of all your enemies.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
A person has no enemy worse than his [own carnal] soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who deceives himself is more deceitful with others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The fruit of self-appraisal is reformation of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Uprightness of the soul is [attained] through struggle.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever oppresses himself is more oppressive to others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Introspection turns one’s attention to self-reformation.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is pleased with himself, his flaws become known.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Deterring the soul from vain desire is the greater Jihad.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is pleased with himself, many are angry with him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who deceives himself cannot [sincerely] advise others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who sincerely advises others does not deceive himself.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Being obedient [to Allah] is from the nobility of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not defy your soul when it guides you to the right path.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is miserly with himself is more miserly with others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever opposes his [carnal] soul has indeed defeated Satan.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever protects himself from asking others becomes exalted.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever takes care of his soul with vigilance, remains safe.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Being satisfied at all times is a sign of an honourable soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not be lenient with your [carnal] soul when it entices you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not permit yourself to engage in any evil speech or action.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hastening towards obedience [of Allah] is a merit of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not govern [and train] his own soul, destroys it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The ignoble soul does not separate from [its] vile attributes.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The weakest of people is one who is unable to reform his soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever disobeys Allah and obeys Satan has oppressed his soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is great in his own eyes is low in the sight of Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Being obedient [to Allah] is from the God-wariness of the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who knows himself divests himself [of all worldly desires].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who is ignorant about himself is more ignorant about others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The souls of the virtuous are averse to the souls of the wicked.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever wrongs his [own] soul, no goodness is expected from him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Being preoccupied with disciplining the soul is better [for you].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever continually disciplines his soul derives [great] benefit.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Honour your soul as long as it aids you in the obedience of Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is noble, his affection [and compassion] increases.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The soul does not become devoid of hope until it comes upon death.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is controlled by his [carnal] soul, his status is lowered.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The misguidance of souls is between the impulses of lust and anger.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Deterring the soul from vain desire is the Jihad that is beneficial.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Gain control over your souls by your continuous struggle against it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The souls of the virtuous are repulsed by the actions of the wicked.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever scrutinizes himself remains safe from the scrutiny of others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not discipline his soul is disgraced by [its] bad habits.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who thinks good of his [own] soul has indeed done more harm to it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily when souls are in harmony they become close [with one another].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
A man’s satisfaction with himself is evidence of his feeble-mindedness.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Beware of overconfidence for this is one of the biggest traps of Satan.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Perfection of righteousness is in struggling against the [carnal] soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever controls his [carnal] soul, his affair [and status] is elevated.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves the one who knows himself to espouse contentment and chastity.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who considers his soul to be honourable does not abase it by sinning.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is noble finds it easy to give generously and help others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Reformation of the soul is [achieved by] struggling against vain desires.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Cognizance of the self is the most beneficial of all [types of] knowledge.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Deterring the soul from the vanities of this world is the fruit of reason.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The strongest of people is one who has the greatest command over his soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever struggles with his soul in order to reform it, becomes felicitous.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who is successful in knowing himself has achieved the greatest success.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is honourable, this world becomes insignificant in his eyes.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Self-restraint during desire and fear is from the most excellent etiquette.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
There is no expectation [of goodness] from the one who wrongs his own soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who knows the value of his soul does not abase it with transient things.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Overconfidence [in oneself] is one of the strongest opportunities for Satan.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever commands you to reform yourself is most deserving of your obedience.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is deceived by his soul is delivered by it to places of destruction.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Knowledge about oneself is the more beneficial of the two types of knowledge.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Never seek the obedience of others while your [own] soul refuses to obey you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is content is assisted by it to become pure and remain chaste.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever does not benefit from his [own] soul, people do not benefit from him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who advises [and admonishes] himself is worthy of giving advice to others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Redressing the corruption of one’s soul is the most beneficial accomplishment.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily your souls have [great] value, so do not sell them except for Paradise.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever obeys his soul in its lustful desires has indeed helped to destroy it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Deterring the soul from the temptation of vain desire is the fruit of nobility.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The ardent desire of the soul for [forbidden] pleasures misguides and destroys.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves a man to guard his soul, watch over his heart and protect his tongue.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Your satisfaction with yourself is an indication of the corruption of your mind.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Restrain your soul from lustful desires and you will remain safe from calamities.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Self-restraint during times of anger saves one from situations that lead to harm.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily if you obey your [carnal] souls, they will lead you towards the worst end.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not have fear of injustice from your Lord but fear the injustice of yourselves.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who undertakes to hold his soul to account is safe from flattery [and deceit].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Beautify your souls with chastity and keep away from wastefulness and extravagance.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Every person who relies on himself [instead of Allah] is thrown [into destruction].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is vigilant and careful has protectors from Allah watching over him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
There is no one more powerless than he who neglects his soul thereby destroying it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Turning away from [the pleasures of] this world is the means of reforming the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever reprimands his soul for [its] faults, it is deterred from many of the sins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever sells his soul for other than the bliss of Paradise has indeed oppressed it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not sanction for yourself that [action] which you would disapprove of from others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Humiliate your soul as long as it makes you recalcitrant in the disobedience of Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who considers himself to be more [important or powerful than others] becomes less.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who has in his soul a restrainer [from evil], has a protector over him from Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not discipline [and purify] his soul, will not benefit from the intellect.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Purify your souls from the filth of lustful desires and you will attain lofty stations.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
There is none stronger than he who overpowers his soul thereby gaining mastery over it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Being preoccupied with one’s soul is enough to keep a person distracted from the people.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves the one who knows himself not to separate [himself] from sadness and caution.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
There is no price for your souls except Paradise, so do not sell them for anything but it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Maintain your self-respect by keeping away from jokes, funny narrations and useless speech.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who governs [and trains] his soul has [truly] comprehended [the art of] administration.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is honourable, his dissension and disagreement [with the people] is reduced.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
None considers himself to be imperfect [and disparages his carnal soul] but the perfect one.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not humble himself in his own eyes will not be elevated in the sight of others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose soul is honourable endeavours to purify it from the lowliness of worldly pursuits.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Indeed the one who sells his soul for anything other than Paradise suffers great tribulation.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The souls have certain evil natures [and characteristics] and wisdom forbids [one from] them.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever knows himself has indeed attained the highest goal of every cognizance and knowledge.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Your power over your soul is the best power and your authority over it is the best authority.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who cannot control his [carnal] soul is not safe from [the wrath and punishment of] Allah.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Take it upon yourselves to discipline your souls and turn them away from their harmful habits.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The person’s satisfaction with himself is [always] accompanied by the displeasure of his Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily your soul is a deceiver; if you trust it, Satan will lead you to commit forbidden acts.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Make yourself a guardian over your soul and reserve a portion of this world for your Hereafter.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who considers his soul to be honourable, his [lustful] desires become insignificant to him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Oppose your [carnal] soul and you will become upright, mingle with scholars and you will learn.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Purify your soul of every lowly trait even if it drives you towards the things that you desire.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever deals leniently with [and flatters] his soul, it makes him rush towards forbidden sins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Restrict your souls by holding them accountable and control them by opposition [to their whims].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The honourable soul does not find it difficult to [spend wealth in order to] acquire provisions.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily these souls are very desirous, if you obey them they will lead you to the depths of evil.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who is lenient with his soul in that which he loves is troubled by it in that which he hates.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who is pleased with himself is cheated and one who is overconfident is faced with affliction.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hold your souls to account before they are held to account and weigh them before they are weighed.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The highest peaks [of success] are not attained but by those who espouse discipline and hard work.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever troubles himself with that which does not benefit him gets caught in that which harms him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is able to gain control over his [carnal] self has attained the highest degree of strength.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
He who is controlled by lustful desires and enslaved by (worldly) aspirations has degraded his soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever holds himself accountable preserves his standing and the outcomes of his affair are praised.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The cure of the soul is abstaining from vain desires and abstinence from the pleasures of this world.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Indeed you are just like the one who stabs himself in order to kill the one who is sitting behind him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever is satisfied with the temporary abode in place of the everlasting abode has oppressed himself.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
At the time when you are most confident in your soul be equally cautious (or fearful) of its deception.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Purify your souls from the filth of [forbidden] pleasures and the evil consequences of lustful desires.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Beware of being pleased with yourself thereby increasing the number of those who are displeased with you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not struggle against his [carnal] soul in his young age does not become noble in is old age.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Be the guardian of your soul, and do with your possessions that which you would like others to do with it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Blessed is the one who has in his soul that which keeps him preoccupied from the [faults of other] people.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Lower yourself from your [rightful] position and people will raise you higher than your rightful position.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul has far-reaching desires and continues to be inclined towards disobedience in its desires.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Indeed there is no price for your souls other than Paradise, so do not sell them except [in return] for it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever preoccupies himself with that which is not necessary, lets the matters that are obligatory slip by.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul is a valuable gem, whoever guards it elevates it and whoever does not preserve it abases it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not be ignorant of yourself for indeed the one who is ignorant about himself is ignorant about everything.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hold yourself to account and struggle against your evil nature, and beware of blaming your sins on your Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves the one who knows the honour [and value] of his soul to purify it from the lowliness of this world.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Restraining the soul and struggling against its vain desires raises one’s ranks and multiplies the good deeds.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The one who is pleased with himself and relies on that which his soul has made decorous for him, is destroyed.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Habituate yourself to forbearance and eschewing importunity, [and as a result] righteousness will adhere to you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
No servant considers his soul to be honourable but that the world becomes lowly [and insignificant] in his eyes.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who does not know himself is distanced from the path of salvation and stumbles in misguidance and ignorance.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Your [carnal] soul is a hostile enemy and an aggressive adversary, if you are unmindful of it, it will kill you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever indulges his soul in that which it loves, its wretchedness in that which it does not love gets prolonged.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not abandon struggle in reforming yourself, for indeed nothing but diligence will assist you [to achieve this].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who leaves his [carnal] soul free [to do as it wills] will be taken by it to the paths of darkness [and evil].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whom Allah does not help [to fight] against his [carnal] soul will not benefit from the advice of the adviser.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not let your soul be devoid of a thought that increases your wisdom and a lesson that safeguards you [from sin].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves the one who knows himself not to be separated from caution and regret out of fear of falling into error.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
When you make your soul obey Allah you have honoured it, and if you allow it to disobey Him you have humiliated it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hold yourself to account for your [own] soul for indeed other souls have someone else who will hold them to account.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Humble your soul through obedience and adorn it with contentment; reduce your wants and be moderate in your earning.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Souls are free but the hands of the intellects hold their reins and protect them from [wretchedness and] misfortune.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The person with the greatest control over his soul is the one who subdues his anger and kills off his lustful desire.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever neglects his soul [as it indulges] in its pleasures becomes wretched and distanced [from the mercy of Allah].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Turn your soul away when faced with lustful desires and make it steadfast on the book of Allah when faced with doubts.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
A person’s upbraiding of his own soul is evidence of the gravity of his intellect and the symbol of his abundant merit.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Habituate yourself to good intention and virtuous purpose, you will attain success in your aspirations (or endeavours).
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Your preoccupation with your own flaws is sufficient to keep [the] shame [of searching for others faults] away from you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Accustom your soul to virtue, for indeed it will make that which is spoken about you good and will make your reward great.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Restrain these souls for indeed they are very desirous, and if you follow them, they will lead you towards the worst evil.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Governing one’s soul is the best [form of] administration and the eminency of knowledge is the most honourable pre-eminence.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
When you desire the uprightness of your soul then you should adopt moderation, contentment and the reduction of [your] wants.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Have humility in your soul and honour in your faith; preserve your Hereafter and be open-handed with your worldly possessions.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Take from your bodies and bestow them generously to your souls, and strive to free yourselves before your ransoms are blocked.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily obeying the self and following its vain desires is the root of every tribulation and the cornerstone of every aberrance.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Blessed is the one who strives to free his soul before the shortness of breath and the severity of despair [at the time of death].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever preoccupies himself with other than his [own] soul falters in the darkness and becomes entangled in [a web of] destruction.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily this soul commands towards evil so one who neglects it [and does not discipline it] is indomitably driven by it towards sins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Compel your souls to abandon bad habits and you will overcome them; fight against your vain desires and you will gain control over them.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Compel your souls to abandon acts of disobedience and it will become easier for you to lead them towards acts of obedience [and worship].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
There is none on the face of this earth more honoured in the sight of Allah, the Glorified, than the soul that is obedient to His commands.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Never declare war against Allah for there is no power that can protect you from His wrath and you can never be free from need for His mercy.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
A person’s rebuking [and finding fault with] his own soul is evidence of the soundness of his intellect and the symbol of his abundant merit.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Blessed is he who considers himself as low, gains honour through his obedience [to Allah] and becomes free from want through his contentment.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul that seeks short-lived desires will surely perish in its quest and will be wretched in its place of return [in the Hereafter].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Be a preventer and a forbidder for yourself [from evil], and a suppressor and a subjugator for your wealth (or outburst) during zeal (or anger).
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Accustom yourself to being engrossed in remembrance [of Allah] and repentance, for indeed this will wipe out your sin and make your reward great.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The one who keeps his soul steadfast against the temptations of worldly pleasures is a master [over it] and the one who neglects it is destroyed.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Be equitable yourself before equity is sought from you, for indeed that is loftier for your status and more deserving of the pleasure of your Lord.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Try yourself in the obedience of Allah through patience in performing obligatory acts and perseverance in performing supererogatory acts and duties.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Purify your soul from every vileness and make an effort to perform every noble deed, you will become free from sins and will achieve noble qualities.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hold yourselves to account [for your deeds] and you will be safe from the fear of Allah and will attain what you desire [from that which is] with Him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
It behoves the one who wants to reform himself and protect his religion to avoid mingling with people who seek [the wealth and pleasures of] this world.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One who holds himself to account becomes aware of his faults and realizes his sins so he seeks forgiveness for his sins and tries to correct his faults.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily your soul is your riding mount, if you make it carry more than it can bear, you will kill it and if you treat it with kindness, you will save it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Safeguard yourself from the fire whose fuel is men and stones by advancing towards obedience to Allah, eschewing His disobedience and seeking His pleasure.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily if you give your [carnal] soul control over yourself, you will corrupt your Hereafter and put you into unending affliction and incessant wretchedness.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
If you do not restrain your soul from many of the things that you love out of fear of its displeasure, then vain desires will drive you towards a lot of harm.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
One whose grief over his soul is prolonged in this world, Allah will give him delight on the Day of Resurrection and put him in the Eternal Abode [in Paradise].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul that struggles to acquire the everlasting desires will surely achieve its goal and will be felicitous in its place of return [in the Hereafter].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not surrender yourself to the deception of covetousness and do not respond to the call of greed, for indeed these two [traits] reap wretchedness and disgrace.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
May Allah have mercy on the person who holds back the reins of his soul from acts of disobedience to Allah and steers it towards the obedience of Allah by its reins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Ennoble your soul from every vile quality, even if it drives you to your desires, for indeed you will never be able to compensate for what you have lost of your soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Whoever does not set right his soul by reforming it, his malady becomes worse and curing it becomes impossible, and he will not find any physician [who can treat it].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
When your soul becomes obstinate with you then be obstinate with it and it will be humble to you, and deceive your soul with regards to yourself, it will yield to you.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
He (a) said about the one whom he was censuring: His [lower] self dominates him by means of that which he assumes, and he cannot overpower it with what he is certain of. He has made his vain desire his master and he obeys it in all his affairs.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Blessed is the one who has in his soul that which keeps him preoccupied [from others] and the people are at ease from him, and who acts in obedience to Allah, the Glorified.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
None is enviable except the one whose endeavour is [to purify] his soul and who does not neglect to regularly hold it to account, demand answers from it and struggle against it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Occupy yourselves with [acts of] obedience [to Allah], and your tongues with the remembrance [of Allah], and your hearts with acceptance [of His will] in what you love and hate.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
May Allah have mercy on the person who subdues the inclinations of his soul towards vain desires thereby protecting it, and steers it towards the obedience of Allah by its reins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the true believer does not enter his evening and morning but that he distrusts his soul, so he continues to belittle [and find fault with] it and seeks more [good] for it.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Have fear of Allah in your soul, wrest away the control that Satan has over you, turn your attention towards the Hereafter and make [the pleasure of] Allah the object of your striving.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The one who is pleased with himself cannot see his own faults but if he were to know the merits of others, he would cover up (and feel ashamed of) the faults and flaws that are in him.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Do not permit yourself to submit to vain desires or to prefer the pleasures of this world such that your faith gets corrupted and cannot be reformed and your soul loses and does not gain.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Demand from your soul [the performance of] that which it obligatory upon it and you will be safe from the demands of others, scrutinize it and you will have no need for the scrutiny of others.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Take control over your vain desires and the distress of your soul, for indeed the distress of the soul lies in acting equitably in [both] the things which it loves and [in those which it] hates.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily if you contravene this division [and allotment of specific times for specific deeds] then the supererogatory acts you perform do not take the place of the obligatory that you have neglected.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Weigh your souls before they are weighed and hold them to account before they are held to account, and breathe before the throat is constricted, and follow submissively before you are driven by force.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Take [good deeds] from yourself for your soul [in the Hereafter], gather provisions today for your tomorrow, benefit from the slumber (or respite) of time and seize the opportunity [to do good while you can].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul commands towards evil and indecency, so whoever trusts it, it deceives him and whoever has confidence in it, it destroys him and whoever is pleased with it, it makes him enter the worst of places.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
How befitting it is for a person to have a fixed time, when he is not distracted by anything, in which he holds his soul to account and looks at what he has earned for and against it in its night-time and daytime.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Habituate yourself to [performing] noble deeds and bearing the burden of [others’] liabilities, [for through this] your soul will become honourable, your Hereafter will thrive and those who praise you will increase.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Serving the soul means protecting it from [unlawful] pleasures and acquisitions, training it with knowledge and wisdom and making it strive in performing acts of worship and obedience, for in this lies the salvation for the soul.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Deceive your heart into worshipping and be gentle with it (or do not compel it), and engage it [in worship] when it is free and lively, except for what has been prescribed as obligatory, for indeed that must be fulfilled [in any case].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Humble your souls by abandoning [bad] habits, lead them towards performing acts of obedience [and worship], make them bear the burdens of [others’] liabilities, beautify them through noble deeds, and protect them from the filth of sins.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Verily the soul is like the camel that likes to eat bitter grass, and the ear does not retain much of what it hears, so do not cut off your understanding by being importunate with your soul because for each part of the body there is [need for] repose.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Hold your souls to account for their deeds and seek from them the fulfilment of what is obligatory on them and their taking from the evanescent for the eternal; and gather provisions and make preparations before you are resurrected [on the Day of Reckoning].
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Control the passion of your soul, the intensity of your rage, the power of your hand and the sharpness of your tongue, and guard against all these by delaying the initiation of any action and refraining from using force until your rage subsides and you recover your senses.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
The refractory, alluring soul flatters as the hypocrite flatters and feigns the attribute of an assenting friend, until such a time when it deceives and gains mastery, then it dominates as an enemy would dominate and dictates as the tyrant would dictate, thereby taking one into the places of evil.
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
Move closer to your soul by retracting from it (I mean that you should move towards your loftier and higher self which has been adapted from the light of your intellect and acts as a barrier between you and the inclinations of your base nature; and by retracting I mean you should retract from the soul that commands to evil and shakes hands with defiance).
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
How blind is the covetous soul to the terrible [and painful] end [it will face]!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
How can one who is not content with little have the ability to reform himself?!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
I am amazed at the one who is ignorant about himself, how can he know his Lord?!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
I am amazed at the one who knows himself, how can he feel at ease in the temporary abode [of this world]?!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
I am amazed at the one who oppresses his own soul, how can he be fair to others?!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
I am amazed at the one who searches for the thing he has lost while he has lost his own soul and does not seek it!
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim
Imam Ali (P.B.U.H):
mankind, what has made you pleased with the destruction of your soul? Is there no cure from your ailment and no awakening from your slumber?! Do you not feel compassion for yourself as you have mercy on others?
Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim