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. 

In the previous article, we explained the importance of generosity in Islam. This article presents you with six codes of behavior that are to be observed in the acts of charities and alms-giving. The religion of Islam attaches great emphasis to the way how we offer our generous help and kindness to others. Some of the rules regarding generosity in Islam are as follows:

1. Sincerity

“‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We desire no reward from you, nor thanks’” (76:9)

In this verse, Allah praises the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) [Ahlul-Bayt (AS)], who would give their food to the needy only for the sake of God's grace and satisfaction without asking for rewards and even waiting for thanks.

2. Piety

“As for him who gives and is Godwary” (92:5)

The companionship of generosity in Islam with piety is to avoid stinginess in almsgiving and also to earn and spend in lawful (Halal) ways. You can choose a deceitful way to reach a laudable aim since the ends can never justify the means.

3. Moderation

“Do not keep your hand chained to your neck, nor open it all together, or you will sit blameworthy and regretful ” (17:29)

This verse stresses the importance of moderation saying we should neither quit almsgiving by being tight-fisted nor be too open-handed in our act of kindness towards others.

4. Avoiding Hurting People

“O you who have faith! Do not render your charities void by reproaches and affronts” (2:264)

Expressing or reminding your favor upon others may hurt their feelings and would definitely invalidate your charitable act. Islam strongly recommends us to treat each other with dignity and respect. Therefore, we should seriously avoid any kind of hurtful behavior or words which we think might offend the receiver of help.

5. Giving of the Good Things that You Have Earned

“O you who have faith! Spend of the good things you have earned [through trade and the like] and of what We bring forth for you from the earth, and do not be of the mind to give the bad part of it, for you yourselves would not take it unless you ignore…” (2:267)

We are surely reluctant to receive anything worthless; so how could we give away something we do not like ourselves in the path of Allah? This is definitely disrespectful to our fellow brothers and sisters, insulting the high status of God.

6. Upholding the Dignity and Self-esteem of the Poor

It is highly recommended in Islam to give charity in secret so that the needy does not feel embarrassed and to safeguard his/her dignity and self-esteem. We should know that we are never superior to the one we are helping no matter how great our charity is.

Shall We Help the One Whom Allah Would Help if He Wished?

This question is asked by the disbelievers when Allah tells them to give charity: “When they are told, ‘Spend out of what Allah has provided you,’ the faithless say to the faithful, ‘Shall we feed [someone] whom Allah would feed if He wished? You are only in manifest error’” (36:47).

You might also wonder why Allah does not provide for the destitute Himself and orders the rich to help them! To resolve this doubt one should think about how people would develop virtues if they were all the same and had the same facilities! What would responsibility mean then? What about freedom of choice? Wouldn’t it be deterministic if God chose to help the ones He wished? “Does man suppose that he has been abandoned to futility?” (75:36)

There would be only one answer to all these questions: Each of us is responsible for everything that happens to us and also for our fellow human beings. The teachings of generosity in Islam are recommended in many verses of the holy Quran and stories from our infallible Imams to help us all lead a better life.

Not only that, psychologists and researchers of modern sciences have proven the positive impacts generosity has on our lives, as well. That is why people around the world nowadays are getting more and more engaged in many charitable acts like voluntary works, donations, etc., which would help the cycle of “good” going and make us all live in a happier world.