Bismillah

“For every thing there is an honor, and the honor of the heart is contentment with Allah azza wa jal.” (Munaaqib Imam Ahmad p. 102)

“Goodness is in the one who sees no good in himself.” (Thayl Tabaqaat al-Hanabilah vol 1, p. 503)

“Emaan is speech and deeds; and it increases and decreases. [As for] Birr (righteousness) all of it is from Emaan, and the sins decrease Emaan.” (Munaaqib Imam Ahmad p. 153)

“The path of knowledge is like the path of wealth; if the wealth increases, then the zakah upon it increases.” (Al-Aadaab Al-Shar’iyah vol 2, p. 761)

“Sincerity is the soul of actions, and actions without a soul is a dead action. Allah will not accept it and it will not save from the Fire.” (Ibn ‘Asaakir)

A man asked Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah): What is the most honorable of deeds?

He (Imam Ahmad) said: Seeking knowledge.

The man then asked: for who?

He said: For the one who recitifies his intention.

The man then asked: and what will rectify the intention?

Imam Ahmad replied: He should intend to humble himself through it and remove the ignorance from himself.

(Al-Aadab Al-Shar’iyah vol 2, p. 83)

-Selections taken from the Book “Mawa’idh Al-Imam Ahmad” compiled by Saalih Ahmad al-Shaami