It was narrated that Shaqeeq [ibn Ibraheem] al Balkhee said to Haatim [al Assam- his student]:
You have accompanied me for a long period of time, so what have you learnt?
Haatim replied:
Eight things:
The first: I looked at the creation and found that every person has something that is beloved to him, but when that person reaches his grave, his beloved would be separated from him. So I made the most beloved thing to me my righteous deeds, so that they may be with me in my grave.
The second: I looked at the saying of Allaah the Elevated:
{… and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts.
} [An Naazi’aat: 40]
So I strove against my self, repelling desires and lusts from it until it settled upon obedience to Allaah.
The Third: I saw that whoever possessed something valuable would keep it in a safe and secure place, I then looked at the saying of Allaah the Glorified:
{ Whatever is with you will come to an end, and whatever is with Allaah will remain.} [An Nahl: 96]
So whenever something of value came into my possession, I directed it to Him, so that it may remain for me with Him.
The Fourth: I saw that people return to wealth, lineage and nobility, and they are all worthless, so I looked at the saying of Allaah the Glorified:
{Indeed the most honourable of you with Allaah are those who have Taqwaa } [Al Hujuraat: 13]
So I worked on attaining Taqwaa so that I may be honorable with Allaah.
The Fifth: I saw that people envy each other, so I looked at the saying of the Elevated:
{ It is We Who portion out their livelihood between them } [Az Zukhruf: 32]
So I forsook envy and jealousy.
The Sixth: I saw them taking each other as enemies, so I looked at the saying of the Glorified:
{ Surely, Shaytaan (Satan) is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy } [Faatir: 6]
So I left their enmity and took Shaytaan as my only enemy.
The Seventh: I saw that they humiliate themselves in pursuing provision, so I looked at the saying of Allaah the Glorified:
{ And no moving (living) creature is there on earth except that its provision is due from Allaah. } [Hood: 6]
So I concentrated on what was due to Him from me, and left what was due to me to Him.
The Eighth: I saw them dependent upon their trades, professions and health, so I depended upon Allaah the Glorified.
