Shaykhul Islaam Ahmad ibn Taymeeyah 728AH (May Allah have mercy on him) said, من كان مؤمنا تقيا كان لله وليا “Whoever is a Allah-fearing believer is a walee of Allah” This is taken from the statement of Allah, أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (٦٢) ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَڪَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ (٦٣) “No doubt!…
al-Khateeb al-Bhagdaadi 463 AH collected a narration in which ‘Abdullah bin al-Mu’taz said, علم بلا عمل كشجرة بلا ثمرة “Knowledge without action is like a tree without fruit”. Source: “Knowledge Mandates Action” point number 46
‘Abdullah ibn al-Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “لاتصحب إلا من أعانك على ذكر الله.” “Do not befriend anyone except one who aids you in remembering Allah.” Source: az-Zuhud by Abu Dawud 1/126
Imaam Maalik bin Anas 179 AH said, من أحب أن تفتح له فرجة في قلبه فليكن عمله في السر أفضل منه في العلانية “Whoever loves for their heart to be opened up with happiness, then let their deeds be in secret. (That) is more virtuous than performing them in public.” Taken from: Tarteeb al-Madaarik 2/60
Hasan al-Basree 110 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said, إن القلوب تموت وتحيا فإذا هي ماتت فاحملوها على الفرائض فإذا حييت فأدبوها في التطوع “Indeed, hearts dies and lives. If the hearts are dead then (give it life by) carrying out the obligations, and if the hearts are alive then refine it by…
Imaam Maalik bin Anas 179 AH said, ان هذا العلم هو لحمك و دمك و عنه تسأل يوم القيامة فانظر عمن تأخذه “Indeed this knowledge is your flesh and blood, and on the Day of Judgement you’ll be asked about it. Therefore, look to whom you take (knowledge) from.” Source: al-Kifaayah 21
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him said, ولن يصيب رجل حقيقة الإيمان حتى يترك المراء، وهو يعلم أنّه صادق، ويترك الكذب في المزاحة. “A man will never reach the reality of Imaan until he abandons disputing even if he knows he is right and to abandon lying in jest.” Source: az-Zuhd by Ahmad bin…
Abu ʿAbdillah Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi’ee 204 AH (May Allah have mercy on him) said, “ما فسد النَّاس إلا لما تركوا لسان العرب، واتبعوا لسان أرسطو “ “People did not become corrupted, or deviated, except after their abandonment of the Arabic language and their inclination to the language of Aristotle!” [Sharh Aqeedah al-Tahawiyyah 1/100; quoted by…
Abu ʿAbdillah Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi’ee 204 AH (May Allah have mercy on him) said, “ما ناظرتُ أحداً أحببتُ أن يخطئ إلا صاحب بدعة فإني أحب أن ينكشف أمره للناس ” “There is no one whom I love to see make a mistake except for a person of innovation. For indeed, it is beloved to…
Wahb ibn Munabbih 110 AH (may Allah have mercy on him) said, إِنَّ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ كَانَ إِذَا أَصَابَ أَحَدَهُمْ بَلَاءٌ عَدَّهُ رَخَاءً ، وَ إِذَا أَصَابَهُ رَخَاءٌ عَدَّهُ بَلَاءً “Verily, there were those before you, when a trail befell them, they counted it as a blessing, and when a blessing befell them they counted…
Trying to Follow the Salaf 