The only criterion by which to judge whether one had planned one’s life well or not is to see the result. A plan which yields a negative result is not right, and a plan which yields a positive result is right. Examining an action by an ideal standard is not a wise thing. Wisdom lies in examining things in the light of the result.
The formula to attain peace is very simple. Take your share without usurping that of others. Satisfy your desires without thwarting others and fulfill your ambitions without denying others the right to do likewise. In short, solve your own problems without creating problems for your fellow creatures.
Success is a matter of making decisions with a calm mind, without constant wavering and changing of the mind; acute observation, initiative, and unremitting attention to a vast number of petty details.
According to Islam that person is most precious who leads his life in this world in such a manner that despite facing all sorts of temptations he succeeds in overcoming them. Despite having the power to misuse his freedom, he refrains from doing so. Despite the possibility of leading an unprincipled life, he chooses of his own free will to be a man of principle. To identify such individuals, it is essential that an atmosphere of freedom prevail in the world. This is not possible under any other system.
It is important to investigate everything and anything one hears. Passing things on to others without investigation is a dangerous habit.
In this world almost everyone makes mistakes. But he finds that after every mistake certain opportunities arise through which he is able to rectify matters — thus saving himself from the evil consequences of his mistakes.
Man has nothing greater to give to anyone than love. This being the case, it is impossible for one to discover God – in all His perfection – and then to offer Him something less than love. Neither is any offering less than love acceptable to God, nor is it proper for man to offer his Lord anything less than pure, true love.
Those who really believe in God feel the joy of their discovery. So uncontrollable is their joy that they cannot help expressing it to others. If there are no traces of the joy of discovery, then the discovery itself has yet to be made.
Reconciliation is the best. But it rarely happens that such reconciliation as can be effected exactly reflects the desires of both the parties. In the majority of cases, reconciliation is possible only on a unilateral basis. That is, one party has to suppress his own inclinations and show a willingness to put an end to the dispute in accordance with other party’s wishes.
It is commonly believed that one born into a wealthy family is fortunate, while one born into a poor family is unfortunate. This is a fallacy. A person is privileged no matter what the circumstances are. Even if one is not born with the proverbial silver spoon in one’s mouth, one still has the ‘incentive spoon’!
