O my son, sit with the scholars

Luqmān said to his son, “O my son, sit with the scholars, crowd them at the knees! For indeed, hearts come to life with words of wisdom just like the dead earth comes back to life with the downpour of rain.”
— Luqmān al-Ḥakīm (Mukhtaṣar Iḥyāʼ ʻUlūm ad-Dīn, by Imām al-Ghazzālī )

watching my tongue

Ibn Wahb narrates that Luqman’s answer to the question about what had raised his status that people came to him for advice was: 
“Lowering my gaze, watching my tongue, eating what is lawful, keeping my chastity, undertaking my promises, fulfilling my commitments, being hospitable to guests, respecting my neighbors, and discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at.”

Luqman then advises his son to be moderate in his walking: “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice,” i.e., if you talk, do not raise your voice very loudly because the braying of the donkey is the harshest of all voices

“O my son! I have never regretted keeping silent. If words are silver, silence is golden” (told by Hasan after Al-Junaid after Sufyan).

“O my son: Let your speech be good and your face be smiling; you will be more loved by the people than those who give them provisions.” · (narrated by Abu Mu’awiyah after Hisham Ibn ‘Urwah).

· Yazid Ibn Hamn and Waki’ told us after Abul Ashab about Khalid Ar-Rab’i as saying: “Luqman was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter. One day, his master ordered him to slaughter a goat and bring him the most pleasant and delicious two parts from it. Luqman brought him the tongue and heart. The master asked: “Didn’t you find anything more pleasant than these?” Luqman said: “No!” After a while, the master ordered him to slaughter a goat and to throw away two of the most malignant parts. Luqman slaughtered the goat and threw away the tongue and heart. The master exclaimed and said: “I ordered you to bring me the most delicious parts and you brought me the tongue and heart, and I ordered you to throw away the most malignant parts and you threw away the tongue and heart, how can this be?” Luqman said:“Nothing can be more pleasing than these if they are good and nothing can be more malicious than these if they are malignant.”Taken from: “Stories of the Prophet” by Ibn Kathir

Luqman's advice to his son

Luqman's advice to his son

The Qur’ân contains ten precious advices Luqmân offered his son. Following is the list of this advice offered to Muslim parents, that they may communicate them to their children, family and members of society that they may implement them. If this valuable advise is followed and implemented then we will all be on the straight Path leading to Paradise. Luqmân himself summed up in a few words the way to succeed in this life and on the Day of Judgement.

1. Luqmân warns his son against the greatest injustice man can do. Allâh said that Luqmân said:

"O my son! Join not in worship others with Allâh. Verily, joining others in worship with Allâh is a great injustice indeed." [31:13]

Luqmân calls his son: "My Son". To do so catches his son's attention so that he may listen carefully to his father . Then he calls his son's attention to Tawhid. " Shirk," Luqmân said:" Is a great injustice indeed ".

Therefore, the one who associates others with Allâh in worship does injustice to Allâh, the owner and Creator of the universe. A great injustice is also done to the Mushrik by his own sellf as he subjects himself to Allâh's anger and eternal punishment in Hell.

2. Luqmân reminds his son of the rights of his parents on him,

"and We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and good to his parents. His mother bore him upon weakness and hardship" [31:14]

He describes hardships mothers face bearing children.

"And his weaning is in two years, give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination." [ 31:14]

Luqmân mentions the total dependence of infants on their mothers for two years. Thank Allâh, and then your parents . In not, then the final destination is to Allâh.

"And if they both strive with you to make you join in worship with me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly." [31:15]

Luqmân tells his son that if the parents are Mushrikîn, then do not follow their way: Allâh's right comes first by far. Even so. for as long as the live, treat your Mushrik parents with kindness.

3. Luqmân then describes some of Allâh's Might.

"O my son! If it be equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and tough it be as a rock, or in the Heavens or the earth, Allâh will bring it forth. Verily Allâh is subtle in bringing out that grain, well aware of its place." [31:16]

Allâh's Knowledge is so perfect that the existence of anything, big or small, is acknowledged and controlled by Him. Luqmân tries to impress his son reminding him of Allâh's absolute control over His kingdom. Such might and power must not be challenged or ignored by anyone.

4. A great advice to Luqman's son is to establish regular prayer, on time and with the best possible performance,

"O my son! Offer prayer perfectly." [31:17]

Prayer is the direct connection between a Muslim and his Creator. Parents must take great care to teach and call upon their children to establish prayer.

5. Luqmân advises his son to "enjoin (people) for good, and forbid from evil." [31:17]

If every Muslim observe this duty , then evil and mischief will have no place in Muslim society.

6. After the useful advice he offered his son, Luqmân recommended patience in implementing them, and in all matters of life,

"And bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments ordered by Allâh with no exemption." [31:17]

Patience is a righteous act ordered, and rewarded by Allâh.

7. Arrogance is an attribute of Allâh alone and not for man.

The Creator and Owner of the universe is the only One who deserves to be Arrogant. Allâh threatens arrogant people with punishment in Hellfire. Luqmân said:

"And turn not your face away from men with pride." [31:18]

8. To be moderate is a great attitude anyone can possess,

"Nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily Allâh likes not each arrogant boaster." [31:18]

Allâh does not like that man is arrogant and proud of themselves.

9. To be moderate in walking and talking is also one of Luqman's advises to his son, "And be moderate (or show no insolence) in walking." [31:19]

Islâm offers a code of conduct in every aspect of life. Even the way Muslims walk and talk are regulated. Islam offers guidelines in this regard that will produce the best behavior and generate respect.

10. Luqmân reminds his son that being harsh while talking will liken his voice to the braying of a donkey. Shouting does not win hearts, rather , it will offend and alienate people,

"And lower your voice. Verily the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying] of an ass!!" [31:19]

Other words of wisdom from Luqman (not narrated in the Quran) [ibn Katheer]

Other words of wisdom from Luqman (not narrated in the Quran) [ibn Katheer]

Luqman on being granted respect and honor
Narrated Ibn Wahb: I was told by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Ayyash Al-Fityani after’ Umar, the freed slave of ‘Afrah as saying: “A man came to Luqman, the wise and asked: Are you Luqman? Are you the slave of so and so? He said: “Yes!” The man said: You are the black shepherd! Luqman said: As for my black color, it is obviously apparent, so what makes you so astonished? The man said: You became frequently visited by the people who pleasingly accept your judgments! Luqman said: 0 cousin! If you do what I am telling you, you will be like this. The man said: What is it? Luqman said: Lowering my gaze, watching my tongue, eating what is lawful, keeping my chastity, undertaking my promises, fulfilling my commitments, being hospitable to guests, respecting my neighbors, and discarding what does not concern me. All these made me the one you are looking at.” 

Luqman on the value of Wisdom
Narrated Damurah after As-Sariy Ibn Yahia as saying: Luqman said to his son: “O my son! Verily, wisdom has brought the indigent to the courts of kings. ”

Luqman on propagating wisdom to others and to take it seriously when given by others
I was told by my father after ‘Amr Ibn ‘Uthman after Damurah Ibn Hafs Ibn ‘Umar as saying: “Luqman placed a bag of mustards beside him and started to advise his son, giving him with every piece of advice a mustard till it all ran out. He said: O my son! I gave you advice that if a mountain was given, it would split………”
Luqman on the need to have a pleasing tongue and sound heart
Yazid Ibn Hamn and Waki’ told us after Abul AShhab after Khalid Ar-Rab’i as saying: “Luqman was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter. One day, his master ordered him to slaughter a goat and bring him the most pleasant and delicious two parts thereof. Luqman did so and brought him the tongue and heart. The master asked: Did not you find anything more pleasant than these? Luqman said: No! After a while, the master ordered him to slaughter a goat and to throw the most malignant two parts thereof. Luqman slaughtered the goat and threw the tongue and heart. The master exclaimed and said: I ordered you to bring me the most delicious parts thereof and you brought me the tongue and heart, and I ordered you to throwaway the most malignant parts thereof and you threw the tongue and heart, how can this be? Luqman said: Nothing can be more pleasing than these if they were good, and nothing can be more malicious than these if they were malignant.”

Luqman on “Speech is silver and slince is golden”

Luqman said to his son: “O my son! I have never regretted because of keeping silent. If words are silver, silence is golden.”

Luqman on the need to have kindness, mercy and love for others

Abu Mu’awiyah told us after Hisham Ibn ‘Urwah after his father as saying: “Wisdom dictates: O my son: Let your speech be good and your face be smiling, you will be more loved by the people than those who give them provisions.” And, he said: “It is stated in the wisdom -or the Torah – : “Kindness is the head of wisdom.” And, he said: “It is stated in the Torah: “As you show mercy (to others), mercy will be shown to you.”

Luqman on giving

And, he said: “It is stated in the wisdom: “You will gain what you give (or, harvest what you grow).”

Luqman on friendships
And, he said: “It is stated in the wisdom: “Love your friend and the friend of your father.”
Luqman on patience, knowledge, and goodness

`Abdur Razzaq told us after Mu’amir after Ayyub after Abu Qulabah as saying: Luqman was once asked: Who is the best one in terms of patience? He said: It is the one who practices no harm after observing patience. Those who asked him said: Who is the best one in terms of knowledge? He said: It is he who adds to his own knowledge through the knowledge of others. They asked: Who is the best from among the whole people? He said: It is the wealthy. They said: Is it the one who has properties and riches? He said: No! But, it is the one if whose good was sought, he would not hold it back or prevent it. And, it is the one who does not need anything from others.
Luqman on the need to keep good company and to consult scholars
‘Abdullah Ibn Ahmed said: I was told by Al-Hakam Ibn Abu Zuhair Ibn Musa after Al-Faraj Ibn Fudalah after Abu Sa’id as saying: Luqman said to his son: “O my son! Let only the pious men eat your food, and consult the scholars over your affairs.”
Finally, wisdom in matters is one of the blessings that Allah grants to His creation. The Almighty says in the Quran: “He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases, and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember (will receive admonition) except men of understanding.” (Quran: Al-Baqara: 269)
Note: Hikmah here refers to “Wisdom

My dear beloved son!

My dear beloved son!

It has been told in the will of Luqman (Peace of Allah be upon him) that he, advising his son in his will, said:

“My son! Do not let the rooster be more intelligent than you are. It shouldn’t happen that he (i.e. the rooster) gets up at the last part of the night to make proclamations [for Tahajjud prayers and remembers his Lord] while you keep sleeping [in a deep sleep of heedlessness, carelessness, and ignorance].”

This reality is made clear in the following verses (of poetry):

“At night, the dove sitting on the branch [of a tree] is calling on [to its Lord]
While I am in a deep sleep

By the Lord of the House of Allah (Ka’aba)! I am a liar! If I had been a true lover [of Allah]
Then the doves would not have won over me in weeping [in the pain of separation from my Beloved (Allah)!

Alas! I do not even wet my eyes [with tears] while claiming to love [my Beloved Lord!]
While the animals keep weeping [in their love for their Creator].”

[Imam Ghazali - Ya bunaya]

Life is a bit of cloudy days mixed with sunny days

“Life is a bit of cloudy days mixed with sunny days, however the positive person pierces the clouds to see the sun even on the cloudy days.”
- Luqmān al-Andalusī.

Speak the truth

Luqmaan said to his son “Speak the truth even if it is against yourself and do not care about who is getting angry”
— [Aadab ush-Share’ah 1/74]

Don't be so sweet that people swallow you up

"Don't be so sweet that people swallow you up, nor so bitter that they spit you out" 
- Luqman (The Wise)

Speak the truth even if it is against yourself

Luqmaan said to his son “Speak the truth even if it is against yourself and do not care about who is getting angry”

— [Aadab ush-Share’ah 1/74]