A beautiful story about Imam al-Hassan al-Bassri is told. He was once having a meal, and a man entered into his presence. Naturally, he invited the guest to partake in the meal and eat with him. This is usually done as a sign of generosity and hospitality, but honestly, food only tastes good when shared with others. Al-Bassri learned from the best, the likes of Ibrahim (PBUH) offering food to his guests, who happened to be angels, or the Messenger (PBUH) asking the Ansaar to honor the “Guest of the Messenger of God.” But to al-Bassri’s surprise, the man was disinclined to acquiesce to his invitation, and said to the great Imam: “I’ve just eaten so much that I can’t eat anything right now!” Astonished, the Imam looked at the man and said to him, with sincere bewilderment: “Should a man ever eat until he can’t eat?” The astonishment of the Imam at what he considered to be less dignified behavior says enough about his moral preferences and indicates how he would have reacted if the behavior hadn’t just fallen below the ranks of dignity, but stepped into what’s wrong and reprehensible. I wonder what the Imam’s response would have been if he lived in our struggling times, and saw people take eating as a profession or flaunt their undignified lifestyle publicly as a career.
But the story speaks to a lot more than just the basic norms of decorum in preclassical times. It lends itself to the evolution, or rather devolution, of our moral standards. Today, we don’t stand in astonishment at behavior that is subpar, but rather, our standards are so low that we’re mostly astonished by people who do good, not bad. It's almost as if lowly conduct has become so ubiquitous that we’ve come to expect it, and whenever people behave in a dignified or noble manner it leaves our jaws dropped.
One of the signs of the Day of Judgment is the pervasiveness of sinful and egregious mannerisms, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ predicted, signs of the veracity of his teachings that we experience today firsthand.
One stands today totally awestruck by the resilience of those who still choose the path of virtue despite the seductions of the perverted.
I’m stunned by a Muslim who lives in the West, experiencing the rat race like the rest of us, and is bombarded by the incessant pressure to lust for unfettered wealth and material gains, yet, still manages to exercise self-control and avoids business ventures and investments that are antithetical to divinely inspired values. Achieving a work-life balance is as difficult as it is. But to achieve Dunya-Akhira balance as well, and earn a living from halal, that’s a feat of achievement that is unparalleled. Wealth, as propagated by Islamic teachings, is one of the fundamental tenets of living a good life on this earth. But wealth is not an end in and of itself. It is a means of paving this world for one’s mission to serve God and improve the conditions of His creation. It must be earned from legitimate means that are sanctioned by the Creator. You may obtain the “quantity” of wealth via haram means, but you will certainly lose the “quality” of all the divine blessings that should have come with it. In the age of the aimless pursuit of riches, those who adhere to an age-old moral code and live by its code, still astonish us every day!
I’m astonished by a young Muslim teenager, boy or girl, who refuses to give in to the hypersexualized culture and says no to cohabitation, premarital affairs, and promiscuous behavior. Refusing to be intimate with someone outside the auspices of marriage garners not only people’s consternation but their dismay as well. Kids at school think there is something wrong with someone who refuses to engage in sexual activities or voluntarily chooses to “save themselves for marriage.” What makes matters worse, especially for boys, is that back in our days, those who had the guts actually had to work hard to “have the girl.” Nowadays, girls are literally throwing themselves on boys in a sad spectacle of complete loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Aside from religious guidance in all faiths that consider fornication and promiscuity to be the lowest of behaviors, statistics and science show time and time again the indescribable harm that such behavior inflicts on young people’s physical and mental health. We are astonished, and humbled, by young people who say no to the torrents of sexual seduction, deviation, and sin.
I’m amazed that in the age of celebrating nakedness and promoting exposure, many Muslim girls still voluntarily choose to adhere to the code of Hijab, refuse to expose their skin, and give in to the demands and expectations of popular culture, which what a woman wears is a primary determinant of her social and economic ascension. Women's bodies are now used to promote and market every product, from cars to cereals. Women are expected to abide by a set of fashionable, but excessively revealing codes of public appearance that take away any remaining sense of modesty modern women may still possess. Those codes are often inconvenient and outright absurd, yet they are presented as rules to be followed. And of course, it goes without saying that the widespread immodesty of our time is not just about the immoral exploitation of women’s sexuality, but also about turning women into commodities for economic gain. Fashion changes every day, and those wardrobes are not going to update themselves! Indeed, the harms of immodestly are discussed at length elsewhere. We are astonished to see young Muslim girls, full of the pride of their faith, choosing to dress modestly and fending off the pressure of nakedness in a society that takes steady steps towards removing the final lines between us and animals.
I’m astonished and amazed by young couples who are in the process of establishing homeownership, and since they can’t afford to purchase homes in cash, they choose to finance their purchases through Sharia-compliant options, instead of giving in to the temptations of conventional financing. In this age of massive competition between financial institutions, conventional lending becomes very appealing, compared with the less experienced, and less financially favorable, Sharia-compliant option. But the question was never which one is cheaper. The question has always been: which one is more pleasing to the Creator? Most people who dismiss Sharia-compliant financing with cynicism, argue that they “charge more” than banks. But I say: so what if they charge more in order for us to ensure that our financial transactions are halal and our homes are full of barakah? Why are we squeamish sometimes about the idea that folks from our own faith make a little more money? Wouldn’t we rather that the wealth stays in our community? There is no other sin in the Quran that was deemed worthy of an outright “declaration of war from God and his Messenger” than the sin of Riba, or usury. Isn’t it worth it to dodge that bullet at any cost? We are astonished by those who still choose halal transactions and Sharia-compliant loans despite the pressure of expediency.
I’m astonished in this age when it's customary for people to “run their mouths” with profanities, to see Muslims who still refuse to taint their speech with foul language. The prophetic guidance about the use of bad language is clear, having unequivocally stated that a true believer does not engage in the usage of bad language. But this goes beyond religious obligations into simple human decency. What happened to the days when people used to articulate their thoughts poetically and communicate their ideas effectively using the medium of clear, respectful language? What happened to times in which we used our words to forge lasting relationships, inspire others, and make our world better? But foul language, through the expressions of popular culture, is now made to appear as the most effective way of communicating, and the only way for people to “get things done” or command needed respect. If your language is clean, it is implied, that you’re weak, and people will trample all over you. To choose to still say “that which is good” as the Qu'ran instructs, and to elect to not respond to evil except with that which is good, as divine guidance has it, is still the way of the righteous and the honorable, however rare they might be. We are astonished by anyone who still refrains from profanities, despite the widespread social acceptance.
I’m astonished by folks who say no to the pervasive types of music in this day and age that masquerade as art, filled with filth, explicit material, and outright evil, that are corrupting the hearts of people right and left. A quick scan through the most popular songs and music videos makes it painfully clear how low we’ve descended. To call this type of “music” useless would be an underestimation. It's harmful in every sense and aspires to disconnect man from any thread of hope that he may be hanging on to, derived from connections with family, religious duties, or even basic human decency. The modern man is compelled to listen to cocaine-like music that fills the soul with darkness, hopelessness, violence, objectification, and dirty lust. No purpose, no meaning, and no end goal except the self-infliction of mental and spiritual harm. And while there are certain types of music that may pass the halal-haram litmus test, current popular music is certainly not on that list.
I’m amazed by folks, especially young people, who push back against this filth, and still choose to listen to what’s clean and beautiful and elevates the soul.
I’m astonished by men and women who refrain from pursuing their physical exercise at the modern-day meat markets, also known as gyms. Many folks don’t go to the gym in order to exercise anymore. The primary purpose for some is to flaunt their muscles or sexuality feed their ego and revel in the looks and words of praise from others. It is true that many people still go to the gym to exercise, but they’re increasingly finding it difficult to do that, feeling that their experience is being corrupted by the imposters who are there to fulfill ulterior motives. Many men are becoming increasingly unwilling to frequent the gym because they have to keep their gazes down at all times in response to the shameless display of sexuality and immodesty that has now become a staple of the gym experience. Similarly, many women are becoming uncomfortable attending the gym to avoid the prying eyes of men, who are accustomed to treating women, including those who sincerely go there only to exercise, as objects of gratification. I’m amazed by folks who try to exercise in their own homes and avoid being in a questionable establishment where the boundaries between the sexes are being deliberately vaporized. Modesty still DOES matter for some!
I’m amazed by many who still try to enjoy the artistic expressions in film, but exert tremendous effort to find clean material for themselves and their families, instead of just watching what’s popular and effectively marketed. And while movies were not always the cleanest thing, many films used to be the stuff of dreams, that took us to remote places, engaged us in conversations with honorable characters, and taught us about life, relationships, and principles. Today, one would be hard-pressed to find a clean movie that one can watch, let alone watch with family. With a few exceptions, movies are now about sexuality, violence, or both. And if the movie happens to be free of filth at face value, it may still pack filth in its message and ideology. Many are still not desensitized to the filth often infused in the plot of a movie. They try to select ones to watch that have some moral, or fast-forward if they’re blindsided by an unexpectedly inappropriate scene. After all, the eyes have their share of fornication, as the Prophetic wisdom concludes. I’m astonished at many who still uphold their moral values and act prudently as they sift their way through the oceans of well-advertised entertainment material.
I’m astonished by those who, in the age of a well-oiled, well-financed, and well-marketed food industry, still follow the Islamic dietary restrictions and refrain from eating everything because it's available or cheap. Food is supposed to be “halal” in every sense. Halal in the manner by which the animal was raised, fed, and slaughtered. Halal in the way crops are planted and raised and the impact they have on the environment. Halal in the methods of their processing, packaging, and selling. When these guidelines are not followed, and when food becomes an expedient end in and of itself, one would be following in the footsteps of the devil, as the Qu'ran clearly states.
Today's food is chock-full of chemicals of every sort, preservatives, colors, and flavors, it became a breeding ground for cancer cells. To still eat halal and support what’s halal, read the labels, buy what’s organic and free-trade, support local businesses, and think of food as an amanah, is a rare sign of character that deserves a tip of the hat! I’m astonished at those who still put in the needed effort to purify their diets and say no to the temptations of the food industry!
I’m stunned by those who, in the age of great confusion, when even the immutable biological lines between the sexes are blurred, and when we are being forced to indulge in the fantasies of those who clearly struggle with severe mental health disorders, still stand their ground and refuse to partake in spectacles of historic absurdity such as the use of pronouns. Men now compete in women's sports and use their bathrooms. They couldn’t oppress women enough as men, so they had to pretend to be women in order to pull it off. The saddest part is that this wave of foolishness is supported by the feminist movement, essentially precipitating its own complete annihilation. The Quran and all divine scriptures are clear about God’s intentions in creating humans from “only male and female” ancestors. Of course, these religious considerations are either neglected or committed to the museum of antiquated ideas, even when they are in line with logic and science, to the advantage of a self-serving doctrine of absurdity. I’m astounded by the brave souls who still, despite public ostracizing, refrain from engaging in pronoun nonsense and intentionally or not preserve the last remaining traces of human sanity.
I’m astonished by those who are still keen on maintaining and nurturing their cultural and religious identities and going above and beyond to steer clear from adopting the dominant ethos and schmoozing to those who are in power, losing themselves and their essence in the process. At the realization that they’ve suddenly become a minority, immigrants to the West often incrementally give up pieces of themselves and surrender parts of their identity, and in its stead, adopt cultural practices that are alien to them, just because those practices belong to the majority, in hopes of fitting in and getting accepted. What they don’t account for is the gradual but complete obliteration of their selfhood, and the utter surrender of meaning, purpose, and aspiration. Those who possess the proclivity to attempt an indulgence in the cultural rehearsals of others are better off learning that they’ll be respected more, honored more, and reckoned more only if they are true to who they are and stand their ground against attempts to vaporize their fundamental constitution in the diluted amalgam of modern melting pots. Cultures become dominant only because they have advocates who believe in their value and impact. In these trying times, I’m amazed by those who stay true to their values and traditions and attempt no drastic change to please others.
I’m absolutely amazed by some who, despite the ubiquitous acceptance of deception and false pretenses that have come to mark the very fiber of modern times, still choose to adhere to an ancient code of morality, and insist on articulating the truth no matter what the consequences are. It's easy to be dishonest nowadays. In fact, some dishonesty; some manipulation of the truth, has come to be expected of people, otherwise, you’re looked at as rude or crude. Many lie their way into careers, relationships, and financial success. They lie in interviews, social gatherings, and even with their parents, spouses, and kids. It's true that the cost of truthfulness is high. One might suffer the blunt force of social rebuke, or get mauled by the claws of the modern-day machine of deceptive engineering. But the cost of mendacity is far more bone-chilling. Society is literally devolving into the abyss as a result of the failure of men to stand up, hold each other accountable, and tell the truth no matter the consequence. When asked about the weight of different sins on the scale, the Prophet Muhammad considered lying to be the most dangerous and subsequently the weightiest, since it carries the highest potential to remove someone from the very fold of the faith itself! In the long term, it's only truthful people who possess the proper tenacity that enables them to manage life affairs and upheavals efficiently. Your deception can only take you so far, and liars eventually fold under the weight of their own fabrications. I’m amazed at the courage of those who continue to say the truth, abide by the truth, and demand the truth, no matter how expansive falsehood has become.
I’m astonished that, in the age of ticktock viral videos and Instagram influencers, when the foolish attempts to make a living by producing filthy content and getting the unsuspecting to consume it, some still manage to preserve age-old work ethics and follow a strict code of discipline to make their honest living. It's stunning that some still live by the paradigm: I must earn my own keep with honest labor! Modern humans seem to put most of their effort into searching for effortless sources of income! Instead of aspiring to take on a professional career, start a business, or even choose the path of manual labor, young people nowadays feel no shame whatsoever in stating that their plan for financial independence involves applying for government assistance, winning the lottery, or making a video that goes viral! Religious inspiration consistently stated that earning one’s living through one’s own efforts and labors, has always been the path of the messengers and the righteous. The Prophet Muhammad even says that despite being King, Dawoud (PBUH) used to earn his living through the fruits of his own labor. I’m amazed by those who still work hard, maintain a proper work ethic, provide for themselves and their families, and try to be mindful of whether what they’re producing is actually good for society or not.
I’m quite stunned by men, who still try to live by ancient codes of chivalry, act protectively and respectfully of others, come to the aid of those who are in need, and put themselves in places of inconvenience to uphold the often discarded or forgotten cardinal virtues of gallantry and knighthood. In this age, even the simple act of holding the door for a woman is ostracized as “white-knighting” and considered demeaning and offensive. Men often have to suppress their natural protectiveness and desire to assist, to avoid negative feedback from those who in tough situations would want those very men to be around. It is not true that when a man tries to help or protect a woman, he thinks he’s better, stronger, or more superior to her. He just follows his natural instinct to do good, and the innate desire to be in the service of others that God instilled in his very DNA. Modern-day lack of chivalry has harmed both women and men and left us all unserved. Acts of honor have gotten so scarce, that folks now wonder if there’s any good left in the world to begin with.
The great scholars of the Islamic tradition emphasized the value of chivalry. Between those who defined it as: “keeping trouble away from others and spending magnanimously on them” to those who said that chivalry is achieved only when we feel that if: “... we are given something, we prefer to give it to someone else, and if we are denied we are grateful.” One feels a tremendous sense of gratitude for and pride in those who keep the principles of chivalry and honor alive in this unforgiving age!
I’m equally stunned by women who refuse to drown in the cultural waves of post-modern dissatisfaction that manifests itself in the pathological usage of beauty products and procedures that have become characteristic of the contemporary self. Most people are unhappy with how they look, displeased with their age, and discontented with their size. The overweight wants to become slender, and the skinny wants to “bulk up”. The young want to look “mature” and the old wants to look deceptively youthful. No one is content with the size of their nose, the contour of their bottom, or the folds of their belly. Wrinkles are not allowed, and gray hair is an anathema. The concept of aging gracefully is dismissed as a relic. If we can conquer aging and artificially abide by socially imposed beauty standards, then why not? Or so the argument goes. But overcoming the relentless pace of time is not possible, and changing one’s face to follow some perceived notion of volatile aesthetics, is a fool’s errand. Beauty standards change every day, and sooner or later one’s health will deteriorate, and the frail body will give in to the pangs of death. Instead of chasing pipe dreams, perhaps one should just celebrate how God created them and find consolation in the uniqueness that the Creator has granted them. After all, there is only one you, regardless of how you look or the nature of your body shape. An aging soul that continues to be unhappy with the natural progression of life cannot be ameliorated by makeup and Botox injections. True fulfillment lies within, and there is no amount of plastic surgery that can fill the hole that results from not accepting that fact! Perhaps this is why the Quran considers any attempt to “change” the creation of God a direct consequence of giving in to the Devil’s whispers. In this age, I’m amazed by women, and perhaps even men, who refuse to allow themselves to be swept away by the floods of aggrievement resulting from not accepting and celebrating God’s choices for us!
I’m amazed by wives who resist the temptation to compete with their husbands and vie for the power to lead their families and attempt not to go toe to toe with men in some romanticized abstraction of unverified feminist ideals. The age-old wisdom, affirmed by religious exhortations, that a man ought to lead his family, support them financially, and strive to protect them from that which is malevolent and malicious, was valid then, and continues to be valid today, despite the screeching denials of staunch feminists. Men and women of faith understand with every fabric of their being that there is a meta-structure by which the Creator put together this universe. He endowed men and women with exactly the right resources that enable them to carry out their mission in this world. Instead of fighting God’s plan to accept the call to action of some man-made “ism”, perhaps we are better off “surrendering” ourselves to divine decrees and making the best of it, especially when alternative arrangements have not worked as they were envisioned. Families are not stronger, kids are not more well-behaved and men and women are not happier or more fulfilled when the family is rendered leaderless. When men were demoted to dysfunctional drones, hovering confusedly in the airspace of an overworked woman, neither his role nor hers is fulfilled, and we’re all worse off for it. Encouraging men to lead and giving them the needed space to chart a path for their families enables them to practice their natural role and frees up women to manage the corners of life that need their attention the most. I’m amazed that, despite the pervasive dogma, many wives still honor their husbands and follow their lead, with nobility and dignity.
I’m deeply astonished by men who still have protectiveness in their hearts over the women in their lives, and demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond to safeguard their boundaries and well-being, even if it means putting themselves in harm's way. The term for that type of healthy -not overzealous- protectiveness, is called Ghayra in the Islamic tradition. This term denotes a man repulsed by the prospect of a stranger violating the bounds of privacy that women under his care should enjoy comfortably and safely. This involves a man exhorting his female family members to dress modestly, carry themselves in public deferentially, and be willing to always cross the distance to shield them from unwanted attention, uninvited intrusions, or outright threats. Of course, Ghayra does not involve acting unreasonably, oppressing women, and restricting their God-given freedom. Indeed the scholars are in agreement that those who don’t have Ghayra don’t have good Deen either. But a quick observation of our modern times indicates without equivocation that the number of men who think their mothers, sisters, or wives are gems to be cared for and defended is staggeringly shrinking. Men now flaunt their wives’ beauty and showcase their daughter’s nakedness to the world. And when the time comes for them to make a sacrifice and take a stance to save their women an inconvenience, or to defend them against intruders, many act like they're not even there. This type of man is called Dayouth in Islamic terminology, and his character is so looked down upon that in many prophetic traditions he’s not even deserving of salvation in the afterlife. I’m amazed by men who still carry in their hearts this ancient ethic of Ghayra, live by its code, and still have the willingness to make the needed sacrifices for its sake.
I’m still astonished by sons and daughters, who despite reaching adulthood, building families of their own, becoming independent, and being so inundated with life’s responsibilities and challenges, still care for their elderly parents, take them in and refuse to abandon them into nursing homes and senior living facilities. The estranged Western family model, where young people feel compelled to travel far from home to pursue school and career in remote places, usually leaves aging parents alone and lonely, having to grapple with the quandary of either living their remaining days by themselves or seeking the help of a retirement community. Either way, the abandonment of parents bears adverse consequences for everyone. The grandkids miss out on the wisdom embedded in a profound connection and regular interaction with their grandparents and learn from their parents, inadvertently, that it's okay to leave mom and dad once the opportunity presents itself. The sons and daughters debar the grandparents from participating in raising their grandchildren and caring for them, disrupting family continuity and integrity. The grandparents struggle with feelings of abandonment or face the rising risks of morbidity alone. The Islamic tradition requires its adherents to “honor the elderly and show compassion to the youngsters.” Dicing up families, separating their members, causing the atrocity of not caring for one’s elders, and taking grandchildren away from their grandparents, would certainly not be conducive to the fulfillment of said Islamic injunctions. I’m still pleasantly surprised by families who make it a point of keeping the connection with their elders and caring for them without committing them to retirement homes.
In the age of cancel culture, relative truths, and echo chambers, it's most astonishing to see some who still demonstrate the humility to receive advice, process constructive criticism, and hold themselves accountable in order to improve and grow. It's safe to say that humanity has debilitated itself with astronomical levels of self-deception that are of historical proportions. Never before in our near or distant past have we ever managed to create such magnanimous lies about ourselves and the world and find a way to believe them as truth. Everyone seems to be comfortable in their own self-imposed version of the proverbial bubble. They’ll let people in only if they pass the test of complicity. Anyone who presents an alternative view, even if it's not particularly opposing, seems to be written off like they never existed. In this age, most people have ceased to see advice as a necessity and, to their own chagrin, look at it as an affront. As such, no one gets to hear honest feedback about their behavior, plans, or aspirations. Anything goes, and when anything goes, nothing does. Without advice directed at us from trusted mentors and sincere friends, we’re simply doomed to repeat the mistakes of old and unwittingly dig our own graves. As a result, most people now refrain from giving any advice for fear of certain repercussions. We’re not supposed to “judge” each other, or so goes the modern un-wisdom that somehow equates the mere act of giving sincere advice to the egregious act of judgment. Rather, we’re supposed to accept each other for “who we are”. But what if “who we are” falls drastically below reasonable expectations? Aren't we better off getting some constructive feedback to make minor adjustments to our trajectories that seem to be on collision course for most? Islamic guidance nearly equates the ability to bravely give advice and receive it with the profundity of the Deen, one actually possesses. I’m amazed at those who still find it in their hearts to render good, sincere advice to those whom they love and care about, despite public unpopularity.
The fact that we feel surprised just because some still give heed to the basic tenets of human decency is an alarming sign that speaks to the precarious direction of our evolution as a human race. But it is equally true that the mere presence of such people in this age is still a cause for celebration since it indicates that there’s still good in the world, albeit scarce. These exceptional individuals serve as a compelling reminder for us to reflect and aim for a loftier standard of character and behavior. They epitomize the timeless appeal of virtue, affirming that even in a world that frequently falters, the pursuit of goodness remains a path of profound significance—a guiding light that humanity can embrace which transcends the confines of time and place. But good is just like a seedling. It’ll grow into a full-size tree if nurtured and will wither into ashes if neglected. We’re not doomed to one future trajectory or the other. Humanity is not destined for doom and gloom. The Creator left it in our hands. The future is what we envision it to be. Our good deeds today will echo in eternity. God says:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ، وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while a believer - We will surely cause him or her to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward in the Hereafter, according to the best of what they used to do.”
A good life is possible, then, at least for those who think it's worth striving for.
Footnotes
Quran 18:26
Sahih Bukhari
Ibn Abi-Dunya, Mawsu’at ibn Abi-Dunya, Dar Atlas al-Khadra’, Riyadh
Mussnad Imam Ahmad
Quran 18:46
See for instance Quran 17:32, Bible Mark 7:20, and Genesis 6:11-13.
https://www.imamazeez.com/articles/the-case-against-premarital-sex-and-cohabitation
https://www.imamazeez.com/articles/reframing-the-conversation-on-modesty
Quran 2:279
Sunan Tirmidhi
Quran 17:53
Quran 41:34
Yusuf Qaradawi, al-Halal wal- Haram fil-Islam, ad-Dar ash-Shamiyyah, Istanbul
Sahih Bukhari
Quran 2:168
Quran 49:13
Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi, al-Masalik Fi Sharh Muwatta’ Imam Malik, Daar al Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut
Sahih Bukhari
Abdul-Karim al-Qushayri, ar-Risalah al-Qushayriyyah, Daar al-Minhaaj, Jeddah
Ibid
Quran 4:119
Ibn-ul-Qayyim, وَمَنْ لَا غَيْرَةَ لَهُ لَا دِينَ لَهُ, ad-Daa’ wa-Dawaa’, Daar ibn-Kathir, Kuwait
Mussnad Ahmad
Sunan Abu Dawoud
Sahih Nissai’, إن الدينَ النصيحةُ
Quran 16:97