Goodwill [and friendly admonishment] is the life of friendship [and affection]
الْعِتَابُ حَيَاةُ الْمَوَدَّةِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The friend has been named ?ad?q because he is truthful to you about your nature and faults, so have confidence in one who does this for he is your [true] friend
إِنَّمَا سُمِّيَ الصَّدِيقُ صَدِيقاً لِأَنَّهُ يَصْدُقُكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ وَمَعَايِبِكَ فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَاسْتَنِمْ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّهُ الصَّدِيقُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Your friend is one who forbids you [from evil] and your enemy is one who entices you [to Perform evil]
صَدِيقُكَ مَنْ نَهَاكَ وَعَدُوُّكَ مَنْ أَغْرَاكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
You should build a bond of brotherhood with the one who cautions and forbids you [from doing evil] for verily he is aiding and guiding you
عَلَيْكَ بِمُؤَاخَاةِ مَنْ حَذَّرَكَ وَنَهَاكَ فَإِنَّهُ يُنْجِدُكَ وَيُرْشِدُكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Let the most preferred people in your eyes be the ones who guide you to your faults and help you to reform yourself
لِيَكُنْ آثَرُ النَّاسِ عِنْدَكَ [إِلَيْكَ] مَنْ أَهْدَى إِلَيْكَ عَيْبَكَ [مَرْشَدَكَ] وَأَعَانَكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Let the most beloved of all people to you be one who guides you to the right and discloses your faults to you
لِيَكُنْ أَحَبُّ [آثَرُ] النَّاسِ إِلَيْكَ مَنْ هَدَاكَ إِلَى مَرَاشِدِكَ [أَهْدَى إِلَيْكَ مَرْشَدَكَ] وَكَشَفَ لَكَ عَنْ مَعَايِبِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who loves you forbids you [from evil]
مَنْ أَحَبَّكَ نَهَاكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who shows you your fault has indeed counselled you
مَنْ بَصَّرَكَ عَيْبَكَ فَقَدْ نَصَحَكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who informs you of your faults is indeed your friend
مَنْ أَبَانَ لَكَ عَيْبَكَ فَهُوَ وَدُودُكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who discloses your faults to you guards you in your absence
مَنْ كَاشَفَكَ فِي عَيْبِكَ حَفِظَكَ فِي غَيْبِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who keeps good ties [and company] with his brothers makes their bond [with him] last longer
مَنْ بَصَّرَكَ عَيْبَكَ وَحَفِظَكَ فِي غَيْبِكَ فَهُوَ الصَّدِيقُ فَاحْفَظْهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who frightens you [from committing sins] in order to protect you [from punishment] is better than one who gives you a [false] sense of security on order that you may become frightened
مَنْ أَخَافَكَ لِكَيْ يُؤْمِنَكَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِمَّنْ يُؤْمِنُكَ لِكَيْ يُخِيفَكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The [true] friend is he who forbids [one from] injustice and wrongdoing while helping [one] to perform good deeds and be righteous
الصَّدِيقُ مَنْ كَانَ نَاهِياً عَنِ الظُّلْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ مُعِيناً عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالْإِحْسَانِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Love for the sake of Allah the one who struggles against you for the betterment of [your] religion and covers you with the mantle of certitude
أَحْبِبْ فِي اللَّهِ مَنْ يُجَاهِدُكَ عَلَى صَلَاحِ دِينٍ وَيُكْسِبُكَ حُسْنَ يَقِينٍ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Your brother for the sake of Allah is one who guides you towards rectitude, forbids you from corruption and assists you to improve your Hereafter
أَخُوكَ الصَّدِيقُ مَنْ وَقَاكَ بِنَفْسِهِ وَآثَرَكَ عَلَى مَالِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَعِرْسِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The most worthy of those whom you love is he whose benefit is for you and whose harm is for other than you
أَحَقُّ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَهُ مَنْ نَفْعُهُ لَكَ وَضَرُّهُ لِغَيْرِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
If you find from the needy people one who will carry your provision for you up to the Day of Resurrection and return it to you tomorrow when you need it most, then take the opportunity and give it to him, and increase the provisions that you give him [to carry for you] while you are able to, for it is possible that you may [at one time] seek him but not find him
إِذَا وَجَدْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْفَاقَةِ مَنْ يَحْمِلُ لَكَ زَادَكَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُوَفِّيكَ بِهِ غَداً حَيْثُ تَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَاغْتَنِمْهُ وَحَمِّلْهُ إِيَّاهُ وَأَكْثِرْ مِنْ تَزْوِيدِهِ وَأَنْتَ قَادِرٌ عَلَيْهِ فَلَعَلَّكَ أَنْ تَطْلُبَهُ فَلَا تَجِدَهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The embellishment of brotherhood is good companionship and [giving] support despite [financial] difficulty
جَمَالُ الْأُخُوَّةِ إِحْسَانُ الْعِشْرَةِ [الْعُسْرَةِ] وَالْمُوَاسَاةُ مَعَ الْعُسْرَةِ [الْعِشْرَةِ]
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who supports you, and better than him is the one who suffices for you, and when he needs you, he excuses you [if you are unable to assist him]
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ وَاسَاكَ وَخَيْرٌ مِنْهُ مَنْ كَفَاكَ وَإِنِ احْتَاجَ إِلَيْكَ أَعْفَاكَ [خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ إِلَيْهِ كَفَاكَ وَإِذَا احْتَاجَ إِلَيْكَ أَعْفَاكَ]
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is he who supports you with his benevolence, and better than him is one who makes you needless of all other than him
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ وَاسَاكَ بِخَيْرِهِ وَخَيْرٌ مِنْهُ مَنْ أَغْنَاكَ عَنْ غَيْرِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who shows you the path of guidance
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ دَلَّكَ عَلَى هُدًى وَأَكْسَبَكَ تُقًى وَصَدَّكَ عَنِ اتِّبَاعِ هَوًى
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Accompany your brothers with kindness and cover their offences with forgiveness
صَاحِبِ الْإِخْوَانَ بِالْإِحْسَانِ وَتَغَمَّدْ ذُنُوبَهُمْ بِالْغُفْرَانِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Let the most beloved person to you and the one who has the greatest status in your eyes be the one who strives hardest in benefiting people
لِيَكُنْ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَيْكَ وَأَحْظَاهُمْ لَدَيْكَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ سَعْياً فِي مَنَافِعِ النَّاسِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Whoever is concerned about you, then he is your [true] friend
مَنِ اهْتَمَّ بِكَ فَهُوَ صَدِيقُكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
A believer is never satiated while his brother is hungry
لَا يَشْبَعُ الْمُؤْمِنُ وَأَخُوهُ جَائِعٌ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Being at ease with every person before gauging [them] is from lack of intellect
الطُّمَأْنِينَةُ إِلَى كُلِّ أَحَدٍ قَبْلَ الِاخْتِبَارِ مِنْ قُصُورِ الْعَقْلِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Before choosing a friend, assess him and try hard to find out about him, otherwise you will be forced by necessity to associate with the wicked
قَدِّمِ الِاخْتِبَارَ وَأَجِدِ الِاسْتِظْهَارَ فِي اخْتِيَارِ الْإِخْوَانِ وَإِ لَّا أَلْجَأَكَ الِاضْطِرَارُ إِلَى مُقَارَنَةِ الْأَشْرَارِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Be sure to investigate before taking anyone as your brother, for assessment is the gauge that distinguishes the virtuous from the wicked
قَدِّمِ الِاخْتِبَارَ فِي اتِّخَاذِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَإِنَّ الِاخْتِبَارَ مِعْمَارٌ يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ الْأَخْيَارِ وَالْأَشْرَارِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Accompanying a person [for some time] is sufficient to evaluate him
كَفَى بِالصُّحْبَةِ اخْتِبَاراً
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who takes a brother after successfully evaluating him, his companionship will last longer and his bond will be more firmly established
مَنِ اتَّخَذَ أَخاً بَعْدَ حُسْنِ الِاخْتِبَارِ دَامَتْ صُحْبَتُهُ وَتَأَكَّدَتْ مَوَدَّتُهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who takes a brother after successfully evaluating him, his companionship will last longer and his bond will be more firmly established
مَنْ لَمْ يُقَدِّمْ فِي اتِّخَاذِ الْإِخْوَانِ الِاعْتِبَارَ دَفَعَهُ الِاغْتِرَارُ إِلَى صُحْبَةِ الْفُجَّارِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who takes a brother without evaluation will be forced by necessity to associate with the wicked
مَنِ اتَّخَذَ أَخاً مِنْ غَيْرِ اخْتِبَارٍ أَلْجَأَهُ الِاضْطِرَارُ إِلَى مُرَافَقَةِ الْأَشْرَارِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who feels at ease [with people] before gauging them, regrets
مَنِ اطْمَأَنَّ قَبْلَ الِاخْتِبَارِ نَدِمَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Do not trust in a friend before testing him
لَا تَثِقْ بِالصَّدِيقِ قَبْلَ الْخِبْرَةِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Do not rely on your friend until you have tested him, and be extremely cautious of your enemy
لَا تَأْمَنْ صَدِيقَكَ حَتَّى تَخْتَبِرَهُ وَكُنْ مِنْ عَدُوِّكَ عَلَى أَشَدِّ الْحَذَرِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The person who is most concerned about you is the one who is most helpful to you in improving [and reforming] yourself and is most sincere in advising you with regards to your religion
أَشْفَقُ النَّاسِ عَلَيْكَ أَعْوَنُهُمْ لَكَ عَلَى صَلَاحِ نَفْسِكَ وَأَنْصَحُهُمْ لَكَ فِي دِينِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Good brotherhood increases reward and beautifies praise
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ أَقَلُّهُمْ مُصَانَعَةً فِي النَّصِيحَةِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of brothers are the most sincere [of them] and the worst of them are the most Deceitful
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ أَنْصَحُهُمْ وَشَرُّهُمْ أَغَشُّهُمْ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Let the most beloved person to you be the compassionate adviser
لِيَكُنْ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَيْكَ الْمُشْفِقَ النَّاصِحَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who is truthful to you about yourself has indeed guided you aright
مَنْ صَدَّقَكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ فَقَدْ أَرْشَدَكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Whoever gives you sincere advice has indeed helped you
مَنْ نَصَحَكَ فَقَدْ أَنْجَدَكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One whose friendship does not benefit you, his enmity will harm you
مَنْ لَمْ يَنْصَحْكَ فِي صَدَاقَتِهِ فَلَا تَعْذِرْهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
No one shows compassion like the sincere friend
لَا شَفِيقَ كَالْوَدُودِ النَّاصِحِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The one who assists [you] in obeying [Allah] is the best companion
الْمُعِينُ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ خَيْرُ الْأَصْحَابِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who is stern with you regarding obedience to Allah
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ عَنَّفَكَ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Brothers are an embellishment in times of ease and a [means of] support in times of tribulation
الْإِخْوَانُ زِينَةٌ فِي الرَّخَاءِ وَعُدَّةٌ فِي الْبَلَاءِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
A friend is a better asset and is more lasting in fondness
الصَّدِيقُ إِنْسَانٌ هُوَ أَنْتَ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ غَيْرُكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The wise person is one who selects his friend carefully, for a man is gauged by his friend
الْأَصْدِقَاءُ نَفْسٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فِي جُسُومٍ مُتَفَرِّقَةٍ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Keep yourself in the company of a virtuous and pious brother and you will remain safe, seek advice from him and you will benefit
اصْحَبْ أَخَا الْتُّقَى وَالدِّينِ تَسْلَمْ وَاسْتَرْشِدْهُ تَغْنَمْ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Choose the new of everything but the oldest one from among your brothers
اخْتَرْ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ جَدِيدَهُ وَمِنَ الْإِخْوَانِ أَقْدَمَهُمْ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of all things is that which is newer, but the best of brothers is the oldest of them
خَيْرُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ جَدِيدُهُ وَخَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ أَقْدَمُهُمْ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The most deserving of intimacy among the people is the close friend
أَحَقُّ النَّاسِ أَنْ يُونَسَ بِهِ الْوَدُودُ الْمَأْلُوفُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Be careful not to ignore the right of your brother while relying on the bond between you and him, for he whose right you overlook is not your brother
أَفْضَلُ الْعُدَدِ ثِقَاتُ الْإِخْوَانِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The most deserving of those whom you love is the one who does not forsake you
أَوْلَى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ مَنْ لَا يَقْلَاكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best assets are reliable brothers
أَفْضَلُ الْعُدَدِ أَخٌ وَفِيٌّ وَشَقِيقٌ زَكِيٌّ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of all people who have preceded you is the one who has preceded you in his good expectation of you
أَفْضَلُ النَّاسِ سَالِفَةً عِنْدَكَ مَنْ أَسْلَفَكَ حُسْنَ التَّأْمِيلِ لَكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of assets are a loyal brother and a righteous sibling
أَصْدَقُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَوَدَّةً أَفْضَلُهُمْ لِإِخْوَانِهِ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ مُوَاسَاةً
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Verily supporting [one’s] companions financially is a sign of noble descent
إِنَّ مُوَاسَاةَ الرِّفَاقِ مِنْ كَرَمِ الْأَعْرَاقِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who assists you financially [in your time of need]
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ وَاسَاكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The order of nobleness entails successively doing good to others and assisting one’s brothers [financially]
نِظَامُ الْكَرَمِ مُوَالاةُ الْإِحْسَانِ وَمُوَاسَاةُ الْإِخْوَانِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The structure of religion is [based on] two qualities: your impartiality towards yourself and supporting your brethren
نِظَامُ الدِّينِ خَصْلَتَانِ إِنْصَافُكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَمُوَاسَاةُ إِخْوَانِكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Nothing preserves brotherhood like financial support [in times of need]
مَا حُفِظَتِ الْأُخُوَّةُ بِمِثْلِ الْمُوَاسَاةِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Indeed only he who does not flatter you loves you, and only he who does not let you hear [his praise] praises you
إِنَّمَا يُحِبُّكَ مَنْ لَا يَتَمَلَّقُكَ وَيُثْنِي عَلَيْكَ مَنْ لَا يُسْمِعُكَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Hold on to every friend who is brought close to you by hard times (and who benefits you in times of distress)
تَمَسَّكْ بِكُلِّ صَدِيقٍ أَفَادَتْكَهُ الشِّدَّةُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of brothers are the least hypocritical in giving good advice
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَنْ لَا يُحْوِجُ إِخْوَانَهُ إِلَى سِوَاهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who supports you, and better than him is the one who suffices for you, and when he needs you, he excuses you [if you are unable to assist him]
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَى إِخْوَانِهِ مُسْتَقْصِياً
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of brothers is one who does not scrutinize his brothers
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ كَثُرَ إِغْضَابُهُ لَكَ فِي الْحَقِّ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best brother is one whose brotherhood is not based on worldly gain
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا أُخُوَّتُهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best brother is one after whose loss you would not like to remain [alive]
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَنْ إِذَا فَقَدْتَهُ لَمْ تُحِبَّ الْبَقَاءَ بَعْدَهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is one who rushes towards good and pulls you towards it, and enjoins you to righteousness and assists you in it
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ سَارَعَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَجَذَبَكَ إِلَيْهِ وَأَمَرَكَ بِالْبِرِّ وَأَعَانَكَ عَلَيْهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best of your brothers is the one who exhorts you to speak the truth by his own veracity and compels you to perform the best deeds by his own good actions
خَيْرُ إِخْوَانِكَ مَنْ دَعَاكَ إِلَى صِدْقِ الْمَقَالِ بِصِدْقِ مَقَالِهِ وَنَدَبَكَ إِلَى أَفْضَلِ الْأَعْمَالِ بِحُسْنِ أَعْمَالِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The best brother is the most helpful of them in [performing] good deeds, the most active in doing good deeds and the most affable in companionship
خَيْرُ الْإِخْوَانِ أَعْوَنُهُمْ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ وَأَعْمَلُهُمْ بِالْبِرِّ وَأَرْفَقُهُمْ بِالْمُصَاحِبِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
You should keep ties with brethren of purity, for they are an embellishment in times of ease and a support in [times of] tribulation
عَلَيْكَ بِإِخْوَانِ الصَّفَاءِ فَإِنَّهُمْ زِينَةٌ فِي الرَّخَاءِ وَعَوْنٌ فِي الْبَلَاءِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One whose nature is gentle, loving him is unavoidable
مَنْ لَانَتْ عَرِيكَتُهُ وَجَبَتْ مَحَبَّتُهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One who belies the evil assumption about his brother has a sound covenant [of brotherhood] and a relaxed heart
مَنْ كَذَّبَ سُوءَ الظَّنِّ بِأَخِيهِ كَانَ ذَا عَقْدٍ صَحِيحٍ وَقَلْبٍ مُسْتَرِيحٍ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Do not rely on your friend until you have tested him, and be extremely cautious of your enemy
مَنْ أَحْسَنَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْإِخْوَانِ اسْتَدَامَ مِنْهُمُ الْوُصْلَةَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
One whose friendship is sincere, his audacity is tolerated
مَنْ خَلَصَتْ مَوَدَّتُهُ احْتُمِلَتْ دَالَتُهُ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
How few are the reliable, trustworthy people, and how many are the treacherous!
مَا أَقَلَّ الثِّقَةَ الْمُؤْتَمَنَ وَأَكْثَرَ الْخَوَّانَ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
The friendship of the people who care for the Hereafter lasts as long as its motive [of pleasing Allah] lasts
وُدُّ أَبْنَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ يَدُومُ لِدَوَامِ سَبَبِهِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
Do not seek brotherhood [and friendship] among the uncouth people, rather seek it among the trustworthy and loyal people
لَا تَطْلُبَنَّ الْإِخَاءَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْجَفَاءِ وَاطْلُبْهُ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ الْحِفَاظِ وَالْوَفَاءِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech
There is no good in the brother who does not enjoin on you what he enjoins on himself
يُغْتَنَمُ مُؤَاخَاةُ الْأَخْيَارِ وَيُجْتَنَبُ مُصَاحَبَةُ الْأَشْرَارِ وَالْفُجَّارِ
Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech