اللهم إني أسألك الثبات على الحق اللهم وفقني للاستقامة على الحق، اللهم أصلح قلبي وعملي، اللهم أحسن خاتمتي - اللهم إني أسألك أن تجدد الإيمان في قلوبنا

I have not taken delight in their praise nor have I hated their criticism

Maalik bin Dinaar: ‘Since I have known (the reality of) people, I have not taken delight in their praise nor have I hated their criticism.’ It was said to him, ‘Why is that?’ He said, ‘The one who praises from amongst them is excessive and the critic from amongst them exaggerates!" [Tarikh Dimishq (59/307)

I encouraged my soul to aspire for

A man said to al-Hasan al-Basree (rahimahullaah) : ‘The people sit around you so that they may find fault with you!’ So he said, ‘Indeed, I encouraged my soul to aspire for Paradise so it aspired for it. Then I encouraged it to aspire for salvation from Hellfire and so it aspired for it. Then I encouraged it to aspire for salvation from the people, but I didn’t find a way to that. Indeed the people were not pleased with their Creator although He provides for them, so how can they be pleased with another creation like themselves?’ [Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah (9/318 )]