12. THE WISE TAKE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION
It is a huge mistake to share negative opinions about a person who has been removed from power or sphere of influence, for there is no guarantee he will not return to a position of power and seek retribution.
One must generally not display animosity towards anyone because the disparaged could rise and the one ignored can find power. Contrary to popular notion, hatred for enemies should be hidden, even if retribution against them became possible because forgiving is retribution itself, as it is a form of humiliation for them.
One must be kind to everyone, particularly to those who can reach positions of power. And one should be at the service of those who have been removed as they can return to former positions.
We have narrated that a man asked permission to enter upon the Chief Judge, Ibn Abu Dawud, and said “Abu Ja’far is at the door.”
When he heard that, he was delighted and said, “Let him in.”
He entered, and the judge got up, met him, honored him and gave him five thousand and walked him out.
He was asked, “You do all this to a commoner?”
He replied, “I used to be poor, and he was my friend. I came to him one day and told him I was hungry. He asked me to sit down and he went out, then returned with grilled meat, sweet fruit and bread, and asked me to eat. I said, “Eat with me,” and he said, “No.” I said, “I swear I will not eat until you eat with me,” so he ate until I saw blood coming out of his mouth.” I asked, “What is this?” He said, “An illness.” I said, “By Allah, you must tell me.”
He said, “When you came to me, I had nothing, but my teeth were clamped with a golden tape, so I removed it, sold it and bought (the food) with its price.”
Should I not reward someone like this?
On the contrary, Ibn Al-Zayyat was the minister of Al-Wathiq, and he used to put down Al-Mutawakkil, when the latter became the Caliph, he tortured him in different ways.
Similarly, Ibn Al-Jazari used to have no respect for Al-Mustarshid before his appointment, and he was subjected to ordeals after he reached power.
The wise is one who considers consequences, imagines all possibilities, and works according to wisdom.
Above all that is to visualize death approaching at any moment, because it can come suddenly and without a preceding illness. Therefore, the wise is one who prepares for it, behaves so as not to be regretful upon its arrival and exercises caution against sins, for they are like a watchful enemy.
Save and collect good deeds for yourself because they are like a true friend that helps in hard times.
It is most important for the believer to learn that the more he increases in virtue, the higher his rank in Paradise will be, and vice versa.
He may enter Paradise in a lower rank while others are higher, but he will remain satisfied and will not feel any shortcoming.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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