Ali bin Abi Talib(ra), cousin of the Prophet(SAW), husband to Fatima(ra) daughter of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and father of Hasan and Hussain(ra) was among those 10 special companions given the glad tidings of paradise in this world.  He was the fourth Caliph of Islam and was known for his intelect and wisdom in all parts of life.

Ali(ra) said, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) sent me to Yemen, so I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, you have sent me, and I a youth, to judge between them (as a qadi), and I don’t know what the nature of judgement is.’  He struck my chest with his hand and said, ‘O Allah, guide his heart and make firm his tongue.’  Ali said, ‘By the One Who split the grain, I have not had any doubt about passing judgement (in a dispute) between two (people).

Below are some wise sayings regarding the “dunya” (the world) and ones innerself.  While Reading them remembering the temporal nature of this world and that it is not the ultimate and final abode, two approaches can be taken:   1)  Have a skim read, which probably won’t help us much.  2) Contemplate each one whilst thinking about our own life and how we are living.

1)  People are asleep as long as they are alive, they are awakened when they die.
2)  Do not run after the world, let the world run after you.
3)  Of all the follies the greatest is to love the world.
4)  He who trusts the world, the world betrays him.
5)  Do not become a slave of your desires.
6)  Desire is one’s most inveterate enemy.
7)  Overpower desires and suspicions by patience and faith.
8)  Greed is perpetual enslavement.
9)  Finding fault in others is one’s greatest fault.
10)  He who is aware of his own faults is oblivious of the faults of others.
11)  The greatest sin is the sin that the sinner considers to be ordinary.
12)  Do not sell the Hereafter for the world.
13)  Do not soil your conscience for anything but heaven.