Noble traits are [acquired] through difficulties

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he falls sick he regrets having abandoned the work

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed you are the target of calamities and the object of sicknesses

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Through discomforts, Paradise is attained

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The harm that one faces in calamity is to the extent of [the loftiness of] one’s rank

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When you see your Lord continually testing you [with hardships] then be grateful to Him

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is with great difficulty that lofty ranks and perpetual bliss are attained

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The trial of a man is proportionate to his faith and religion

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

During the descending of hardships and successive adversities, the excellence of patience becomes manifest

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Allah, the Glorified, has not cleansed this world for His friends nor has He withheld it from His enemies

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who loves us should prepare to be covered with afflictions

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who befriends us should have a thick skin for tribulations [that will befall him]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A believer never falls short of forbearance and never gets anxious when faced with difficulty

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Do not be delighted by wealth and comfort, and do not be grieved by poverty and tribulation, for verily gold is tested by fire and the believer is tested by tribulation

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Eminence is not perfected except by bearing the burdens [of others] and doing good turns

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who feels secure from the devising [of Allah] meets with harm

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who feels secure from the devising of Allah is destroyed

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily Allah, the Most High, bestows the blessing of benevolence in [times of] ease and the blessing of purification [in times] of hardship

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The cessation of blessings is [caused] by withholding the rights of Allah from them and falling short in showing gratitude for them

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sometimes you may be the cause of your own misfortune

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How many a person is blessed through tribulation!

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

None shall be punished for an evil act except its doer

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who oppresses [others] gets oppressed.

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who deals offensively [with others] is dealt with in the same way

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who harbor’s evil feelings [and ill will] for others has actually harmed himself

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

None of the acts of disobedience to Allah, the Glorified, come about except in [the garb of] desire

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Openly [and boldly] sinning in front of Allah [without any shame] hastens [divine] retributions

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of the intellect [or from evil actions] and the ugliness of errors, and from Him do we seek assistance [against all this]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One who makes a habit of following [his] lustful desires is overwhelmed by afflictions, is associated with evils and has certainty about the permanence [of this world]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reward is gained in proportion to the difficulty endured

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Hardships are the key to reward

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reward with Allah, the Glorified, is to the extent of the hardship undergone

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The reward for [bearing] hardship is greater than the extent of the hardship [itself]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily great reward accompanies great trials; so when Allah, the Glorified, loves a community, He tries them

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reward descends in proportion to the hardship [that one bears]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

To the extent of the hardship, there is reward

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The reward is proportionate to the tribulation [endured]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Reward will never be acquired until [the bitter pill of] patience is swallowed

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The ‘evil’ that is followed by Paradise is not [really] evil

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a person who is afflicted is made stronger by his affliction

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Six things are used to gauge the character of men: [their behaviour in times of] happiness and anger, security and fear, deprivation and desire

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

During successive hardships the virtues of a person become manifest

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

In times of trial (or perplexity) the [level of] intellects of the people are revealed

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is in times of trial that a man is [either] honoured or disgraced

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It is during the change of circumstances that the [real] gems among the people are known

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By the One who sent Muhammad (s) with the Truth, you will verily be mixed [and shaken] a complete mixing, and sifted a total sieving and fully mixed as by a ladle in a cooking pot, until those who are low from among you become high and the high ones become low, and those who have fallen behind will come forward and those who are in front will fall behind

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

There are three things by which the intellects of people are tested: wealth, authority and adversity

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A believer is tested with affliction just like the purity of gold and silver is tested with fire

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

A person is tested by his actions, not by his words

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Tribulation follows behind ease [and comfort]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he is distressed he thinks [ill of Allah] and doubts [in Him]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The only way that the value of blessings can be known is by suffering their contraries

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When you see that Allah, the Glorified, is continuously testing you [with hardships], then [know that] He has woken you [from your slumber of negligence]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When hardships distance themselves, solace draws near

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: If he falls ill he devotes himself and turns repentantly [to Allah] but if he regains his health he forgets and returns [to his evil ways] and becomes emboldened in his injustice towards the servants [of Allah]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How is it that you are not kept awake by the [fear of] Allah’s punishments that befall you by night while you lie in the way of Allah’s wrath because of your disobedience to Him?!

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed man (in this world) is only a target that is struck by [the arrows of] death and a booty that is rushed towards by tribulations and calamities

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By the befalling of calamities blessings become roiled

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The succession of the night and day is the hiding place of calamities and the herald of separation [from loved ones]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

There is no escape for bodies from maladies

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

One is neither safe from the passage of time nor secure from the calamities of the days

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It behoves the one who knows about time not to feel secure from its adversities and vicissitudes

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

For every living thing there is an ailment

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The more restricting [and difficult] the hardship, the closer the relief

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The time when relief is closest is when the affair becomes unbearable

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When the openings [and ways] get blocked, the rays of relief begin to appear

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When the difficulties reach their peak, there is hope for relief

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When the circle of affliction tightens, ease follows

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

No agony intensifies but that Allah brings its relief closer

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Hardships are divided equally among the creatures

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Adversity [endured] with patience is the better of the two adversities

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Noble traits are [acquired] through difficulties

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The most worthy of giving [to] is the one who feels the least in need of asking [from others]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily tribulations have certain extents that have to be passed so remain in slumber until they pass, for indeed trying to find a solution before this only increases [and prolongs] it

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily tribulations have certain extents, and the extents have limits, so remain patient until you reach their limits, for trying to find a solution for them before they have passed only increases [and prolongs] them

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When you fear the difficulty of an affair then be firm against it, it will yield to you; and deceive time about its calamities, it will become easy for you

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

When tribulations come to you then sit and accept them, for indeed your standing up and confronting them will only aggravate them

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Through calamities, happiness is spoiled

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Plunge into hardships to [arrive at] the truth wherever it may be

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a time jubilation turns into rage

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Many a person is shown sympathy for an affliction that is [actually] his cure

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Sometimes matters look grim (or inescapable)

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

In times of difficulty, feelings of malice disappear

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whoever embarks on the frightful [and risky] earns wealth

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech