Yaa Miskeen!

Al-Imaam Al Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad said:

“O Miskeen! You are an evil-doer and you think yourself to be one who does good. You are an ignoramus and you think yourself to be a scholar. You are a miser and you think yourself to be generous. O foolish one! You see that you are intelligent. Your time is short, but your hope is long.”

[Adh-Dhahabi]: I say: Yes, by Allah, he has spoken the truth. And you are an oppressor and you think yourself to be the one who is oppressed. And you eat what is unlawful and you think that you are cautious and fearful (in this regard). And you are a sinner and you think yourself to be just and upright. And you seek the knowledge (of the religion) for the world, and yet you think that you seek it for Allaah.

Source: Siyaar A’laam an-Nubalaa  سير أعلام النبلاء 8/440

"Hope" is More Suitable at Death

“Fear is better than hope. 

However, when death befalls, hope becomes better.”

Al-Fuḍayl b. ‘Iyāḍ [d. 187H]

Sincere & Correct

Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd [187H] (Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Allaah ‘azza wa jalla accepts only those deeds which are both correct & sincere (pure). If the deed is done correctly but not sincerely, it will not be accepted. And if it is sincere but not correct, it will not be accepted.” He was asked, “Abû ‘Alî! What is the sincere and correct deed?” He replied, “The sincere deed is one that is done only for Allaah ‘azza wa jall. And the correct deed is one done according to the Sunnah.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol.8 p95.