1. Speak at the Right Time

Don’t speak when it’s not a good time to talk. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no. 10274. 

2. A Day of Celebration

Any day on which you don’t commit sins or disobey Allah is a day of celebration (Eid). 

Nahj al-Balagha, Wisdom no.428. 

3. The Effect of Nature 

Looking at nature brings happiness.

Nahj al-Balagha, Wisdom no.400. 

4. Two Valuable Blessings in Imam Ali (AS)'s Words 

There are two things whose worth you will find out only after losing them; youth and health.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, vol. 1, p.449.

5. Difference with Children 

Do not impose your own traditions on your children, since they are living in a different era than yours. 

Ibn abi al-Hadid, Interpretation of Nahj al-Balagha, vol.20, p.286. 

6. Who to Consult and Who not to Consult

Consult with your wise enemy, but avoid your ignorant friend’s advice. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.2471.

7. The Best Candidates to Consult

The wise, knowledgeable, experienced, and prudent ones are the best to consult with. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.4990.

8. When to Consult 

Consult before making decisions and think before taking action.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.5754.

9. Be Patient with Your Job's Difficulties 

If you don’t endure the difficulties of working, you are made to bear the misfortunes of poverty.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.8987.

 10. Be Kind

Be kind to the less privileged ones than you, so that your superiors be kind to you. 

Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikmah, Hadith no. 6960. 

11. Respect Your Father and Teacher

Rise in respect to your father and your teacher, even if you possess a high status. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.2341.

12. The Foundation of the World according to Imam Ali (AS)

The world is founded on justice. 

Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikmah, Hadith no. 11955. 

13. Observe Justice 

The fairest among you is the one who observes justice between people while in power.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.3242.

14. Treat others as you expect to be treated

The fairest manner is to treat people the way you expect them to treat you. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.3170.

15. Quality is more important than Quantity for Imam Ali (AS)

Don’t worry about how fast you do a job; instead, observe the best quality in whatever you do. 

Ibn abi al-Hadid, Interpretation of Nahj al-Balagha, vol.20, p.267. 

16. The Worst Homeland

The worst homeland is the one that doesn’t keep its citizens safe. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.5712.

17. How to Start a Deed

You need to have enough knowledge of a deed before doing it. 

Nahj al-Bakagha, p.171.  

18. Do Every Deed on its Own Time 

Do every day’s work on that specific day, since each task is due to its special day. 

Nahj al-Balagha, letter no.53.  

19. Keep Your Promises

The ones who don’t keep their promise do not believe in Allah. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.9577.

20. Don't Break Your Promise to Children 

It’s beneath you to make a promise to your child and not keep it. 

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Al-Amali, p.342. 

21. Be Childlike 

If you have a child, be childlike with him/her. 

Usul al-Kafi, vol.6, p.50. 

22. Yesterday, Tomorrow, Today 

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to come, while today is a precious chance for you to make the most of it.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.9840.

23. An Unplanted Land

The heart of the teenage is like an unplanted land that is ready to receive any seed planted in it. 

Nahj al-Balagha, letter no. 31. 

24. Read Books

The greatest peace is obtained by reading books. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.8126.

25. Scholars' Heaven 

Find the scholars’ heaven within the pages of the books. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.991.

26. The Perfection of Religion

The perfection of religion is in seeking knowledge and making use of it. 

Usul al-Kafi, vol.1, p.30.

27. What is Said not Who Said it 

Pay attention to what is said, not who is saying it. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.5048.

28. Think instead of Talking

Try to ponder and understand instead of quoting. 

Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikmah, Hadith no. 3355.

29. Help Others

You will be helped, the same way as you help others. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.7209.

30. The Faithful as Defined by Imam Ali (AS)

The faithful who help the destitute in the hardships and misfortunes of their lives are loved most by Allah.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.376.

31. Peace is Better Than War

I found peace, so far as it won’t degrade Islam, more beneficial than war. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.10138.

32. You Make a Mistake, too!

Don’t be happy about the mistakes of others, since you are not perfect either. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.10294.

33. Respect to be Respected 

Talk respectfully to people to hear respectful responses. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.2568.

34. The Power of Optimism 

Optimism reduces despair and keeps you away from committing sins. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.4823.

 35. Do not Measure Truth Based on People 

What is right is not distinguished by the people; You should first know what is right to find the ones following it.

al-Fattal al-Neyshaburi, Rawḍat al-wāʿiẓīn wa baṣīrat al-muttaʿiẓīn, p.31.

36. Be at Peace

Whoever avoids holding grudges, his/her heart and mind will remain at peace. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.8548.

37. Be Thankful and Patient 

Be thankful to Allah on your days of comfort and happiness, and be patient on the days of difficulty and hardship.

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, Hadith no.7148.

38. The Precious Blessing of Health 

Health is more precious than any other of Allah’s blessings. 

Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, p.483.

39. Women in Islam

Women are Allah’s trusts upon you, do not hurt them, and do not put pressure on them.

Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol.2, p.551.

40. Make the most of Your Happy Moments 

Enjoy your moments of happiness with all your heart to help you at the time of sadness. 

Ibn abi al-Hadid, Interpretation of Nahj al-Balagha, vol.20, p.286. 

The month of Ramadan is one of the essential occasions in the Islamic calendar. It’s the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), it’s the month in which the most important nights of the Islamic year, the Qadr nights, or the nights of ordainment, are. It’s the month in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) used to pray a lot. It’s the month in which practicing Muslims fast, keeping themselves from sins, evil acts, and their worldly desires. But why this month has a significant role in the Islamic calendar, and how does it play a role in the life of Muslims? Here, we are going to discuss this matter.  

Ramadan is the month of Fasting and Prayer  

Fasting is not a thing just belonging to Islam. It’s been in the former religions, and it’s been referred to in other holy books. The Quran refers to the time when Allah ordered Mary not to speak to anyone, as a form of fast: 

Eat, drink, and be comforted. Then if you see any human, say, ‘‘Indeed I have vowed a fast to the All-beneficent, so I will not speak to any human today. (19:26)

“Muslims are asked to be fasting in the month of Ramadan: O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be God-wary.” (2:183)

Also, Allah promises a great reward for both men and women who fast:

 “Indeed, the Muslim men and the Muslim women, the faithful men and the faithful women… the men who fast and the women who fast, the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, the men who remember Allah greatly and the women who remember [Allah greatly]—Allah holds in store for them forgiveness and a great reward.”(33:35)

As a result, the month of Ramadan is when Muslims begin to have a close relation with Allah and practice preserving themselves from evil acts, temptations, human passions, etc. In response, Allah promises to reward those who do so, with the best rewards. 

Ramadan is the Month of Granting Pardon

As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said, “The Month of Ramadan starts with mercy, goes on with forgiveness and ends with redemption.” [1] Therefore, this month is a chance for Muslims to ponder on their deeds, find where they have gone wrong, and ask Allah’s help and forgiveness to fix those mistakes and become a better version of themselves. Allah’s mercy includes everyone, at any time and anywhere. Yet, the month of Ramadan is when He pours down His blessings upon His creatures more than ever and is an excellent opportunity for the ones who are willing to benefit from it. 

Ramadan is the Month of Quran  

Qadr Night or the Night of Ordainment is highly sacred in Islam. On 19th, 21st, 23rd or 27th of Ramadan, Allah inspired the holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), and it refers to this fact: 

Indeed We sent it down on the Night of Ordainment. And what will show you what is the Night of Ordainment? The Night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months. In it, the angels and the Spirit descend, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. It is peaceful until the rising of the dawn. (97:1-5)

So, one of the significances of this night is the inspiration of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). 

The other significance of this night, according to the Imams (AS),  is being known as the night of destiny. Imam Sadiq (AS) calls it the heart of Ramadan [2]. He also says that in the night of ordainment, everything, from death to life, is predestined. So Muslims usually stay awake during that night, praying to Allah to excuse their sins, and they pray for their earthly and unearthly wishes. That is the night in which Allah has said He does listen to the prayers of His servants. That is the night when one can change his/her fate for better, praying and asking Allah to do so.

The month of Ramadan is a chance for anyone who wants to be closer to Allah, a better person, and a guided human being. There are many divine purposes for this holy month, and especially the ritual of fasting, which will be discussed in another article.

References:

1. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 93, p.342.  
2. Bihar al Anvaar, vol 58, p 376.