Hasan Al-Basri Sayings / Quotes: About knowledge

When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements.

And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri: What is Iman (Faith)

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allâh have mercy on him – said when asked ‘what is îmân (faith)?’:

It is perseverance (al-sabr) from the things that are forbidden by Allâh the Mighty and Majestic and acceptance.

He was asked, “What is perseverance and acceptance?” He replied,

“al-sabr is to persevere in holding back from what Allâh has forbidden, and [acceptance is] acceptance of what Allâh the Mighty and Majestic has commanded.”

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Basri Quote: Do not sit with an adherent of bidah

Do not sit with an adherent of bid’ah for he will cause a disease in your heart.

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri Quote: about The Quran and Sunnah

“Al-Kitâb is the Qur`ân, and Al-Hikmah is the Sunnah.”

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri Quotes: The dunyâ distracts and preoccupies the heart and body

“The dunyâ distracts and preoccupies the heart and body,

but al-zuhd (asceticism, not giving importance to worldly things) gives rest to the heart and body.

Verily, Allâh will ask us about the halâl things we enjoyed, so what about the harâm!”.

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Basri Quote: About hypocrisy

it is part of al-nifâq (hypocrisy) to be inwardly different from what you are on the outside, to say one thing and do another and to be different in how you enter and how you leave. And the root of al-nifâq is lying.

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri Quote: The good of this world is knowledge and worship

The good of this world is knowledge and worship, and the good of the hereafter is Paradise.

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri Quotes: Gain the Hereafter and the Dunya

“O youth! Seek the hereafter, for we often see people pursuing the hereafter and finding it as well as the dunyâ (worldly wellbeing), but we have never seen anyone pursue the dunyâ and gain the hereafter as well as the dunyâ.”

~ Hasan Al-Basri

Hasan Al-Basri Quote

The world is 3 days: As for yesterday, it has vanished along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it.” 

~ Hasan Al-Basri