al-Marwathee said, I said to Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله:
'How are you this morning?' He [Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله] replied
Category: Soul
A believer will never be complete until...
A believer will never be complete until he prefers his religion over his desires, and he will never perish until he prefers his desires over his religion.
The sweetness of worship
You will not find (experience) the sweetness of worship until you place a barrier between you and your desires.
A cause of splitting the jamaa'ah
He who follows his desires is prohibited from guidance, and falls into opposing the Sharee'ah, and [as a result] is a cause of splitting the jamaa'ah.
Does not realise he is dreaming until he wakes up
One who is asleep does not realise he is dreaming until he wakes up, likewise, one who is negligent of the Hereafter does not realise what he has lost until after death reaches him.
Beware of being deluded and self-amazed by the people's praise
Beware of being deluded and self-amazed by the people's praise of you for that which you are not, [instead] let this be a cause for you to seek taqwa of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and to rectify yourself...
Let the workers work
I visited Ibraaheem ibn Haani whilst he was on his deathbed. [Whilst there] he called his son Ismaa'eel and said to him: 'Has the sun set [yet]?' He (Ismaa'eel) replied: 'No.' He then said
He who has knowledge does not become tired in protecting it
That he who has knowledge does not become tired in protecting it.
Do not sit with the people of innovation and desires
Do not sit with the people of innovation and desires, nor argue with them, nor listen to them.