Hasan Basri advised some of his students, admonishing them about avoiding the state of being proud. He said,
Do not deceive yourself into being too proud because you are in
a good or righteous environment, for there is no place that is
better than Paradise, but what our father, Adam (as) experienced
there, is known to all.
Do not become proud merely because you worship often, for
consider what happened to Iblees (Satan) after he spent a great
deal of time worshipping.
Do not think yourself great because you have met with
righteous people, for there is no man more righteous than the
Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wasallam), yet the disbelievers and
hypocrites did not benefit by simply knowing him.
Short Biography of Hasan al-Basri (Rahimahullah)
He was one of the most renowned tabi`een (the generation after the death of the Prophet) and prominent figures of his time. He was a jurist and a scholar. He was a pious and devout person. He was famous for his eloquence, inspiring speeches, wisdom, asceticism, and deep knowledge. He is the revered tabi`ee and the scholar of the people of Basrah, Abu Sa`eed Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan Ibn Yasaar Al-Basri (Rah.)
– The Wise Sayings of Hasan al Basri, compiled by Dr. Iftakhar Ahmed (2013) India
Painting by an unknown artist
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