Islamic Quotes

When the inward is good the outward is also inevitably so, for the outward always follows the inward, whether good or evil.
- Imam Abdullah ibn Alawi al Haddad


Whoever desires to purify his heart,
then let him prefer Allah to his desires
- Ibn al-Qayyim


A tree, freshly rooted, may be pulled up by one man on his own.
Give it time, and it will not be moved,
even with a crane
- Saadi al-Shiraz


Make no friendship with an elephant keeper
If you have no room to entertain an elephant
- Saadi al-Shiraz


It is reported from the famous worshiper Rabi'ah al-Adawiyya (radiAllahu anha) that she said: "I have never heard the adhaan except that I remember the caller who will announce the Day of Resurrection, and I never see the falling snow except that I imagine the flying pages of the records of peoples deeds (on that day), and I never see swarms of locusts except that I think about the Great Gathering on the Last Day."
- Rabi'ah al-Adawiyya (radiAllahu anha)
- Ibn Al-Jawzi, Sifat As-Safwah 2/433.


Do not fix hopes on your health, and do not laugh away life.
Remember how they walked and now all their joints lie separately,
and the tongue with which they talked lightly
is eaten away by the worms
- Abu Hamid al Ghazali


To prove that it is not men who make religion true,
we must prove that religion can make men true


If someone wants to know what position he enjoys in the eyes of God,
he has only to look at what place he gives to God (in his heart and life)
- Hakim


He who wishes that people always remember him with goodness is neither God-fearing nor sincere.
- Shaykh Ibrahim ibn Adham


�Many times I heard Imam Ahmad saying (when asked to give his opinion) on controversial scholarly issues �I do not know.�� - Abu Dawud (ra)


Being married forces you to fine tune those not-so-great-aspects of yourself and to strive to be better. Love comes in here too; when you are in a loving relationship (and in love and loved); you have this amazing reservoir of energy within you that allows you to flourish, nurture and improve. It brings out the best in you and makes you strive to be better because someone cares and loves you; and vice versa. It is a little like how we instinctively react to another's perception of us, when they think well of us and believe in us, we want to do even better; but when they disparage us we will get defensive and withdraw.


Do not sit idle, for indeed death is seeking you
- Hasan al-Basri


Why do you seek more knowledge when you pay no heed to what you already know?


The righteous salaf were as fearful of their good deeds being squandered, or not being accepted, as the present generation is certain that their neglect will be forgiven
- Hasan al-Basri


Whoever does not thank people, does not thank God.
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
[at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 897]


All of them worship out of fear of the Fire and see salvation as a generous portion, Or seek to dwell in the Garden and to relax in meadows and drink of Salsabil. I have no opinion of Gardens or Fire. I do not seek any recompense for my love.
- a sufi


Islam teaches that God is one and only reality. Not just that there is only one God but that nothing else really exists! We have made �gods� of money, status, name, fame and many other concerns that are only transient, temporal and incapable of giving us the lasting peace that we all seek.


I know that societies often have killed people who have helped to change those societies. And if I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help destroy the racist cancer that is malignant in the body of America, then, all credit is due to Allah. Only the mistakes have been mine.
- El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X),
(last words of his autobiography)


People count with self-satisfaction the number of times they have recited the name of God on their prayer beads, but they keep no beads for reckoning the number of idle words they speak.
- Abu Hamid al-Ghazali


When you notice in a person some manifest act of obedience to Allah, and some secret act of disobedience, you might regard the act of obedience as showing off or hypocrisy, and the disobedience as the genuine trait of that person. Justice demands from you otherwise.


Your desire to withdraw from everything
when Allah has involved you in the world of means
is a hidden appetite.
Your desire for involvement with the world of means
when Allah has withdrawn you from it
is a fall from high aspiration.
- ibn 'Ajiba


An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
- Mahatma Gandhi


Remember your contemporaries who have passed away and were your age. Remember the honors and fame they earned, the high posts they held, and the beautiful bodies they possessed. Today all of them are turned to dust. They have left orphans and widows behind them, their wealth is being wasted, and their houses turned into ruins.
No sign of them is left today, and they lie in dark holes underneath the earth.
Picture their faces before your mind's eye and ponder.
- abu Hamid al-Ghazali


You possess only whatever will not be lost in a ship wreck.
- abu Hamid al-Ghazali


Till man destroys "self" he is no true friend of God.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi


For those who realize that everything is from God, everything is the same.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi


I went to Yale, and I didn't even know they had a library. I was there seven years. I never saw a library.
- George 'Dubya' Bush [As quoted in the book 'Living History' by Hilary Clinton]


If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam
- George Bernard Shaw


The realization of 'La ilaha illa Allah' is one of the states of the heart that can be neither expressed by the tongue nor thought out by the mind.
- Ibn Ata'ala


God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.


Eventhough you are not equipped,
keep searching:
equipment isn't necessary on the way to the Lord.
Whoever you see engaged in search,
become her friend and cast your head in front of her,
for choosing to be a neighbour of seekers,
you become one yourself;
protected by conquerors,
you will yourself learn to conquer.
If an ant seeks the rank of Solomon,
don't smile contemptuously upon its quest.
And of all your skills, and wealth and handicraft,
Weren't they first merely a thought and a quest?
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi
[Mathnawi]


It was once said to Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimahullah), "In such and such a mosque there is a circle that discusses fiqh (lit. the "understanding of fine points of the religion")". He asked, "Do they have a master over them?" and they said no. He said, "They will never understand"
- Ibn Muflih, al-Adab al-shariyya wa al-minah al-mariyya. 3 vols. Cairo n.d. Reprint. Cairo: Maktaba Ibn Taymiya, 1398/1978, 3.374


Keep the minds of people focussed on chaotic events and talk that polarize and divide them in the outer world and they will forget who they really are; they will loose the contact with their innermost self; they will lose contact with their own soul. It is all about creating chaos and disorder to distract peoples mind from far more important happenings on a spiritual level.


I am a bird of God's garden
and I do not belong to this dusty world
For a day or two they have put me here
in this cage of my own body
I did not come here of my own
I will not return of my own
to my own country.
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi
[A Bird In God's Garden]


How should we not put our trust in Allah when He hath shown us our ways? We surely will endure the hurt ye do us. In Allah let the trusting put their trust
- Qur'an, 14:12


All humans are dead except those who have knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere; and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry.
- Imam Shafi (rahimullah)


May Allah steal from you All that steals you from Him.
- Rabi'a al-Adawiyya


This life is not real. I conquered the world and it did not bring me satisfaction.
-- Muhammad Ali (Boxing champion)


Allah guards the justice loving government, even if it is the government of non-Muslims, and destroys the tyrant government, even if it is the government of Muslims.
- Ibn Taymiyyah


What you love to have with you in the Hereafter you should advance today,
and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon today.
- Salman ibn Dinar (radiAllahu anhu)


Actions are merely propped-up shapes.
Their life-breath is the presence of the secret of sincerity in them.
- Shaykh Zarruq


The morning wind spreads its fresh smell.
We must get up and take that in,
that wind that lets us live.
Breathe before it's gone.
- Jalaluddin Rumi
[from 'The Essential Rumi' - Coleman Barks]


Beauty is a King that needs to be obeyed - Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller


We ought not to be embarrassed of appreciating the truth and of obtaining it wherever it comes from, even if it comes from races distant and nations different from us. Nothing should be dearer to the seeker of truth than the truth itself, and there is no deterioration of the truth, nor belittling either of one who speaks it or conveys it
- Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Ishaq Al-Kindi


If your busy with yourself now,
you will be busy with yourself then.
If you are busy with God now,
you will be with Him then.
- Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali


I looked at all friends, and did not find a better friend than safeguarding the tongue. I thought about all dresses, but did not find a better dress than piety. I thought about all types of wealth, but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little. I thought of all types of good deeds, but did not find a better deed than offering good advice. I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience.
- Umar (radiAllahu anhu)


If you knew what I know, you would go out to the jungle, weeping and crying and leave your property unguarded. But your hearts are heedless of the requirements of the Hereafter and you have, before you, worldly hopes and aspirations. That is why the world has become your master and all your activities are directed towards it; you have reduced yourself to a condition of stark ignorance.
- Abu Darda (radiAllahu anhu
[from Fazaile Sadaqaat, Ch6]


Dear friend,
Your heart is a polished mirror. You must wipe it dean of the veil of dust that has gathered upon it, because it is destined to reflect the light of divine secrets.
- abu Hamid al-Ghazali


What can my enemies do to me? My paradise is in my heart, it is with me wherever I go. To imprison me is to provide me with seclusion. To send me into exile is to send me away in the Path of Allah. And to kill me is to make me a martyr.
- Ibn Taymeeyah


Whoever is not made glorified by taqwa can find no glory.
- Imam Shafi' (rahimullah)


O God,
You know that the only thing I want in this life
Is to be obedient to Your command.
Even the living sight of my eyes
Is service at your court
- Rabia al-Adawiyya


All we have to decide is what to do with the time we are given.


Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills. The choice is not theirs
- Qur'an, 28:68


Give up what appears to be doubtful for what is certain.
Truth brings peace of mind, and deception doubt.
- Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) [as reported by Hasan ibn 'Ali ibn Abu Talib (radiAllahu anhu)]


I seek forgiveness from Allah for the lack of my sincerity when I say I seek the forgiveness of Allah
- Rabia al-Adawiyyah


If those who do not possess knowledge avoid the scholarly discussions, disagreement will end.
- Abu Hamid al-Ghazali


Islam is not just a religion. Islam is everything.
- Yusuf Islam


The sign of God�s love is to bestow three attributes on His lover: A generosity like that of the sea, a kindness like that of the sun, and, a humility like that of the earth.
- Bayazid


O Lord...
Once I wanted You so much
I didn't even dare walk past Your house--
And now
I am not even worthy to be let in
- Rabia al-Adawiyya


Shall I tell you who is kept away from Hell and from whom Hell is kept away? From everyone who is gentle and kindly, approachable and of an easy disposition - Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)
[at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1315]


My request is not for bliss of the Garden. I only desire to see You.
- ibn al-Farid


When people have despaired of reaping a harvest, God sends down rain. He spreads his blessing across the world; he is the glorious guardian. Look at how he created the heavens and the earth, and all the creatures that he has spread across the earth. The creation is merely one among many of his signs. If he wanted, he could gather the heavens and the earth and all the creatures into one place.
- Qur'an, Surah Ash-Shura, 42:27-29


The real work is in the Heart:
Wake up your Heart! Because when the heart is completely awake,
Then it needs no Friend.
- Rabia al-Adawiyya


Our hearts are filled with such ease and contentment that if kings came to know of it they would come with armies to rob us of this wealth.


The proposition that Muslims are welcome in Britain if, and only if, they stop behaving like Muslims is a doctrine which is incompatible with the principles that guide a free society.
- Roy Hattersley


This Qur'an guides you to the recognition of your illnesses and to their remedies. Your illnesses are your sins, and your medicine is seeking Allah's forgiveness.
- Qatadah (radiAllahu anhu)


Of all the follies the greatest is to love the world.
- Ali ibn Abu Talib (radiAllahu anhu)


You are not aware of the consequences that would result (if you were granted what you desire) because what you seek might be to your detriment. (O soul) be conscious that your Master is more aware about your well-being than you are.
- Ibn Al-Jawzi


Amongst the signs of success at the end is the turning to God at the beginning.


In the intricate paths of life when difficulties and hardships confront a man, and the darkness of difficulty and suffering becomes long, it is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim, that keeps him safe from wandering here and there, and saves him from the muddy marsh of disappointment, desperation and frustration.
- abu Hamid al-Ghazali
[Muslim's Character]


It is reported from Abu Hurayrah (radiAllahu anhu) that he said, "Shall I not point you to comfortable proceeds?" People responded, "And what is that o Abu Hurayrah?" He replied, "Fasting in winter."


It is reported from 'Umar (radiAllahu anhu) that he said: "Winter is booty for the devout worshippers."
The Arabs used to refer to matters which were relatively easy to gain as being cool. In this narration, the relative ease of fasting in winter and its consequent reward is likened to acquiring war proceeds without the heat of violence.


It is reported from 'Ubayd ibn 'Umayr (radiAllahu anhu) that he said: "It used to be said when winter came: O people of the Qur`an, the night has become long so you can pray (more) and the day has become short for you to fast."
- Abu Nu'aym, Hilyat Al-Awliyaa`


A muslim must treat his brother [and sisters too] in a good way, he should do good things for him and keep him away from harm. When he meets him, he should have a smiling face. He should accept the good things from his brother and forgive his evil deeds. He should not bear on his brother with more than that which he is capable.
- Al Jazairy
[Minhaj Al Muslim, Chapter on etiquette]


Imam Bukhari (rahimullah) was so pious that he could truthfully say "I have never told a lie"


Patiently restrict yourselves to the sunnah, stop where the people stopped, say what they said, avoid what they avoided. Take to the path of the salaf, for indeed what was sufficient for them was sufficient for you.
- Imam al-Awza'ii (radiAllahu anhu)
(from Al-Hujjah of Ismail Abu Fadhl (6/A-B))


Knowledge is not to be taken from four types of people: a foolish person who openly acts foolish, even if he reports the most narrations; an adherent of bid�ah who calls to his desires; a person who lies, even if I don�t accuse him of lying in hadith; and a righteous pious worshiper who does not accurately retain what he narrates.
- Imam Malik (rahimullah)
(from Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A�lam Al-Nubala` in his biography of Imam Malik)


When the time for prayer is at hand,
I make a proper ablution,
go to the spot where I attend to pray
and sit there until all my limbs and organs are in a collected state.

Then I stand up to perform my prayer,
placing the Ka'bah between my brows,
the bridge over Hell beneath my feet,
Paradise to my right
and Hell to my left,
and the Angel of Death behind me,
thinking all the while that this is my final prayer.
Then I stand between hope and fear.

I carefully pronounce "Allahu Akbar!"
Then I recite the Qur'an harmoniously,
bow in humility
and prostrate myself submissively.
I then sit back on my left haunch,
spreading out the left foot,
raising my right foot on the toes.
I follow this with sincerity.
Then I wonder
whether or not
my prayer
has been accepted.
- Hatim bin Al-Asam
(from 'Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship' - by Al Ghazali)


A man without any history is like a tree without roots - El-Malik el-Shabbaz (Malcolm X)


Poverty is not for the sake of hardship. No, it is there because nothing exists but God� Poverty unlocks the door -- what a blessed key!
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi