LUQMAN (AS) WISE WORDS

Luqman (the wise) alaihissalam is a well-known sage, whose advice to his son has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. It is said that he was a dark-complexioned slave from Abyssinia. Allah Ta’ala bestowed His favours upon him and he came to be known as Luqman the wise. According to some
Traditions, Allah Ta’ala gave him a choice between kingship and wisdom. He said that he preferred wisdom. Another Hadith says: “Allah Ta’ala asked Luqman(AS.) whether he liked to be a king and justly rule over the people.” He submitted, “O my Lord, if it is a command from You, I must obey; for, in that case, I shall be assisted by You. But if I am granted the choice to accept or to decline, I would rather be excused; I do not like to undertake this onerous responsibility” The angels questioned him about it; he said to them, “A ruler is always in a difficult situation. Tyranny and other evils surround him on all sides, and everything depends upon whether he is Divinely aided or not. If he rules justly, he can attain salvation, if not, he is led astray from the path leading to Jannah(Paradise). And, it is far better to lead a humble life rather than to lead an easy life in this world and do harm to one’s life in the Hereafter. He who prefers this world to the Hereafter suffers a double loss: this world forsakes him, sooner or later, and he has no value in the Hereafter.” ‘The angels were greatly surprised at his remarks. After this, Luqman(AS.) went to sleep and Allah Ta’ala bestowed wisdom upon him. (Durre Manthur)

SOME OF LUQMAN (A.S’s) ADVISES:

“My dear son, associate frequently with the pious for, in this way alone, you can attain to the virtues that they possess. Besides, when Allah’s special favours descend upon these beings you will also be able to receive your share of blessings; for when it rains, its showers fall on all sides of the house.

My dear son, avoid the company of the wicked people, for no good can be expected to come out of associating with them. Moreover, if at any time, Allah’s punishment befalls them, you will also be affected by it’.

“My dear son, since the day you were born, everyday, you are getting closer to the Hereafter with your back towards this world. So, your abode in the Hereafter is far nearer to you(because you are advancing towards it everyday, at all times) than your house in this world (because you are moving farther and farther away from it day by day)”.

“My dear son, avoid incurring debts; for a debt is a humiliation by day and a grief by night. (One is disgraced when the creditors make demands by day, and one spends the night in grief, worrying about his debts ).

My dear son, entertain hopes of mercy from Allah Ta’ala, but let not your hopes make you bold in committing sins; be fearful of Allah but let not your fear make you despair of His mercy.

My dear son, if someone comes to you with the complaint that so and so has taken out both his eyes and you actually see both his eyes missing, do not form any judgement about the person until you have heard the other side. For, this man might have hit the other person first and taken out four eyes’ earlier”. (Durre Manthur)

The legist (Faqih) Abu-ul-Laith Rahmatullah alaihe relates that when the last hour came for Luqman(AS.), he said to his son, “My dear son, I have given you a lot of advice during my lifetime; now that I am leaving the world, I would like to advise you about six points:-

Busy yourself in the affairs of this world to the extent of the remaining period of your life (which is nothing when measured up against the eternity of the Akhirah).

Worship Allah Ta’ala according to the measure of your dependence on Him(and, obviously, one needs His help in everything).

Make preparations for the Hereafter according to the extent of your stay in that world (and, obviously, one shall have to stay there eternally, for there is no other place to go to after death).

Continue to struggle for redemption from Hell-fire till you are sure you have attained it. (It is common knowledge that, if someone is under trial for a grievous offence, he continues to make efforts for his acquittal till he is sure that the case is going to be decided in his favour).

If you have the audacity to indulge in sins, do so to the extent that you can endure Hell-fire (for, punishment of sin is dictated by law and you are never sure whether the Sovereign, however infinite His mercy may be, will grant you mercy petition).

When you want to commit a sin, look for a hiding place that is not being watched by Allah Ta’ala and His angels (for, everybody knows the consequences of engaging in a revolt before the eyes of the Sovereign Himself or in the presence of His secret agents). (Tanbeeh-ul-Ghafileen).