Sufi Quotes of Abu Darda' in English and Arabic
Hello! Are you looking for explanations of Sufi quotes of Abu Darda’ in English and Arabic? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that's exactly what I will explain in this article. As a Muslim, you should understand this. So, make sure to read this article to the end!
A Brief Biography of Abu Darda'
Abu Darda' was originally named 'Uwaimir bin Zaid. Some other opinions suggest his name as 'Uwaimir bin 'Amir, 'Uwaimir bin Malik, 'Uwaimir bin Abdillah, or 'Uwaimir bin Tsa'labah bin Abdillah. He was one of the Companions from the Ansar group, which is why he was given the title al-Anshari.
Abu Darda' was one of the noble companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Before converting to Islam, he was a merchant. After embracing Islam, he initially tried to combine trading with worship, but he found it difficult to balance the two. Because of this, he chose to focus solely on worship and left his trade.
Read Also: Sufi Quotes of Hudzaifah bin Al-Yamani in English and Arabic
Abu Darda' was the first judge in Damascus, Syria. Muawiyah appointed him as a judge there under the command of Umar bin Khattab. He was a judge who deeply understood Islamic teachings and was very wise. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself said that Abu Darda' was one of his most wise followers. Consider the hadith below!
عُوَيْمِرُ حَكِيْمُ أُمَّتِي
'Uwaimir is one of my wisest followers.
Abu Darda' embraced Islam somewhat late. This means that he converted to Islam during the Battle of Badr. After converting, he joined the Muslim forces in the Battle of Uhud and other battles alongside the Prophet Muhammad.
There is much more to Abu Darda's biography that I could write about in this article, but it is not directly related to the main topic of discussion. What is clear is that Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, in his book titled "Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah," categorizes Abu Darda' as one of the great Sufi figures of the first generation. He (Abu Darda') was a complete Muslim figure. His life was filled with worship and other good deeds. He lived a life of asceticism.
Sufi Quotes of Abu Darda' in English and Arabic
There are many Sufi quotes from Abu Darda'. Of course, I will not explain all of them now. In this article, I will only explain some of his Sufi quotes.
Some Sufi quotes of Abu Darda' in English and Arabic that I mean are as follows:
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Death
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on death, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
مَا بَقَاءُ عُمْرٍ تَقْطَعُهُ السَّاعَاتُ ؟! وَسَلَامَةُ بَدْنٍ مُعَرَّضٍ لِلْآفَاتِ ؟! وَقَدْ عَجِبْتُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَيْفَ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَهُوَ سَبِيْلُهُ إِلَى الثَّوَابِ ؟! وَمَا أَرَانَا إِلَّا سَيُدْرِكُنَا الْمَوْتُ وَنَحْنُ أُبُقٌ[1]
What eternal life can be severed by time?! What bodily safety can be affected by illness?! Truly, I am amazed by a believer—how can he dislike death when it is his path to earning rewards?! Death reveals to us only that it will find us even as we try to escape it.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains several important points as follows:
- No one can live forever. Everyone will eventually die.
- No body is immune to illness. Everyone experiences sickness at some point.
- Death is the path to earning rewards. After we die, we will receive rewards for all the good deeds we have done during our lives on earth. Therefore, we should not despise death; instead, we should embrace it. Many followers of Sufism love and even long for death.
- Death is a destiny for all creatures. Everyone is bound to die, so there is no need to hate it or do foolish things to avoid it.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Being Preoccupied with Worldly Life and Neglecting Worship of Allah
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on being preoccupied with worldly life and neglecting the worship of Allah, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[2]مَنْ خَطَرَتْ الدُّنْيَا بِبَالِهِ لِغَيْرِ الْقِيَامِ بِأَمْرِ اللهِ حُجِبَ عَنِ اللهِ
Whoever allows the world to cross his mind without obeying Allah’s commands has been veiled from Him.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that if a person is preoccupied with worldly matters and neglects his duties as a servant of Allah, he has been veiled from Allah. For example, if we are too busy with work and neglect our obligations as Muslims, such as failing to perform the obligatory prayers, we become veiled from Allah. This means that we have disobeyed Him. As a result, we will increasingly lose the ability to understand the true purpose of life as a servant of Allah. Consequently, we will also become less capable of understanding Allah.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on the Foundations of Worship
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on the foundations of worship, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[3]أَصْلُ الْعِبَادَةِ ثَلَاثٌ : لَا تَرُدَّ مِنْ أَحْكَامِهِ شَيْئًا , وَلاَ تَدَّخِرْ عَنْهُ شَيْئًا , وَلاَ تَسْأَلْ غَيْرَهُ حَاجَةً
The foundations of worship are three: you do not reject any of His laws (the laws of Allah), you do not withhold any of His blessings, and you do not ask for anything from anyone other than Him.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that there are three foundations of worship:
- Not rejecting any of Allah’s laws. This means that we must fulfill all our obligations as Muslims and avoid all prohibitions in Islam.
- Not withholding any of Allah’s blessings. This means that we should not be stingy. We are strongly encouraged to give charity if we are able to do so. We are obligated to pay Zakat if it is required of us.
- Not asking for anything except from Allah. This means that we must recognize Allah as the One who governs and provides for our lives. In Islam, we are allowed to seek help from others, but we must understand that this is part of our efforts. In essence, when we seek help from someone, we are actually seeking help from Allah. This is a fundamental principle that we must understand.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Ma'rifah (Divine Knowledge)
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on Ma'rifah, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[4]مَنْ جَعَلَ اللهُ الْمَعْرِفَةَ عِنْدَهُ يَتَنَعَّمُ فِى كُلِّ أَحْوَالِهِ
Whoever is destined by Allah to possess Ma'rifah (Divine Knowledge) will find joy in every condition.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that if a person has Ma'rifah of Allah (truly understands Allah as the Lord), they will find joy in every condition. When they are ill, they find joy because they know that illness is a part of Allah’s decree for them. Allah has promised great rewards for those who are patient during their illness. When they are without money, they find joy because they understand that it is Allah’s decree. They can experience the poverty that many others endure, and because of this, they become more tolerant in living their life. This is one of the forms of joy.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Worshiping Allah
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on worshiping Allah, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ ثَوَابٌ يُرْجَى , وَلَا عِقَابٌ يُخْشَى , لَكَانَ أَهْلًا لِأَنْ يُطَاعَ فَلَا يُعْصَى , وَيُذْكَرُ فَلَا يُنْسَى[5]
Even if Allah had no reward to hope for and no punishment to fear, He would still be more deserving of obedience without betrayal, and more deserving of remembrance without being forgotten.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains a very important lesson in Sufism: that worshiping Allah, obeying Him, and remembering Him should be done without any ulterior motives. Ideally, we should do all of these not out of desire for rewards or fear of punishment. In other words, the Sufi quote above is a critique of those who worship, obey, and remember Allah solely because they seek rewards or fear punishment.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on the Importance of Love in Worship
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on sincerity, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
مَنْ عَمِلَ لِلَّهِ عَلَى حُبِّهِ أَشْرَفُ مِمَّنْ عَمِلَ عَلَى خَوْفِهِ[6]
Whoever acts for the sake of Allah out of love for Him is more noble than one who acts out of fear of Him.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that worship performed out of love for Allah is more noble than worship done out of fear of Him. Worship based on love is done with joy and full awareness that one truly needs to do it. On the other hand, worship done out of fear suggests a lack of sincerity in performing it. This is why, in various Sufi writings, we find explanations that Sufis would rather endure the torment of Hell as long as Allah is pleased with them.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Prayers That Are Answered
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on prayers that are answered, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
لَوْ جُعِلَتْ لِى دَعْوَةٌ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ مَا سَأَلْتُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ , وَإِنَّمَا أَسْأَلُ الرِّضَا , فَهُوَ تَعْجِيْلُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ فِى الدُّنْيَا[7]
If I were granted a prayer that would be answered, I would not ask for the highest paradise of Firdaus. Truly, I would ask for Allah’s pleasure, for that is the Firdaus of this world.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that if he were to have a prayer guaranteed to be answered, he would choose to ask for Allah’s pleasure rather than for the paradise of Firdaus. His statement teaches us something invaluable: that Allah’s pleasure is more important than all the pleasures of both this world and the hereafter.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on Dhikr, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
وَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُهُمْ : أَوْصِنِي . فَقَالَ لَهُ : اذْكُرِ اللهَ فِى السَّرَّاءِ يَذْكُرُكَ فِى الضَّرَّاءِ , وَإِذَا أَشْرَفْتَ عَلَى شَيْئٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَاذَا يَصِيْرُ[8]
Some people said to him (Abu Darda'), "Give me some advice!" He then said to the person, "Remember Allah in times of ease, and He will remember you in times of distress. If you pay attention to anything in this world, reflect on what it will eventually become."
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that we must always remember Allah in every situation. If we are happy, we should remember Allah so that we are aware that this happiness is a blessing from Allah and we do not overindulge in it. If we are in distress, we should remember Allah so that we realize this is a part of our destiny, and we do not engage in actions that are forbidden in Islam.
In addition to the remembrance of Allah, in the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ also advises us to reflect on everything we see in this world. If we look at ourselves, do we realize that we were created from dust, that we will fall ill, that we cannot provide sustenance for ourselves, that we will die, and that worms will consume our bodies after we die and are buried? And so on.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Longing for Death, Poverty, and Illness
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on death, poverty, and illness, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[9]أُحِبُّ الْمَوْتَ اشْتِيَاقًا إِلَى رَبِّي , وَأُحِبُّ الْفَقْرَ تَوَاضُعًا لِرَبِّي , وَأُحِبُّ الْمَرَضَ تَكْفِيْرًا لِخَطِيْئَتِيْ
I love death because I long for my Lord. I love poverty because it fosters humility towards my Lord. I love illness as it expiates my sins.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda' explains the wisdom behind three things often encountered in life:
- Death is the only path to meeting Allah. This is why many righteous people yearn for death.
- Poverty is a way to practice humility, not towards fellow creatures, but towards Allah. It helps us understand that we are very weak beings and He is the Almighty Lord.
- Illness is one of the things that can expiate sins. If we read various Sufi literature about the righteous, we will find that they express gratitude and happiness when they are ill. They understand that when they are patient during illness, Allah forgives their sins and rewards them.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Hostility and Self-Respect
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on hostility and self-respect, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[10]إِنْ نَابَذْتَ النَّاسَ نَابَذُوْكَ , وَإِنْ تَرَكْتَهُمْ لَمْ يَتْرُكُوْكَ , وَإِنْ هَرَبْتَ مِنْهُمْ أَدْرَكُوْكَ , فَهَبْ عِرْضَكَ لِيَوْمِ فَقْرِكَ
If you oppose people out of difference and hatred, they will oppose you. If you leave them, they will not leave you. If you run from them, they will find you. Reserve your honor for the day you will need it (the Day of Judgment).
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains a simple yet profound point: that there is no benefit in enmity. When two people are hostile towards each other, they both waste energy, time, money, and other resources on something that can damage their mutual honor. As Muslims, we should focus on actions that will be truly beneficial for us on the Day of Judgment.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Disliking the Actions of Others
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on disliking the actions of others, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
لَا تَبْغُضْ مِنْ أَخِيْكَ الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا عَصَى إِلَّا عَمَلَهُ , إِذَا تَرَكَهُ فَهُوَ أَخُوْكَ[11]
Do not hate your Muslim brother if he has committed a sin, except for his actions. If he stops committing the sin, then he is your brother.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains an important point that many people do not understand. Perhaps you are among them. If someone commits a sin, we should not hate the person himself. If there is something to dislike, it should be the sin, not the individual. This is one of the ethical principles of brotherhood in Islam.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Desires and Actions
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on desires and actions, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
إِذَا أَصْبَحَ الرَّجُلُ اجْتَمَعَ هَوَاهُ وَعَمَلُهُ , فَإِنْ كَانَ عَمَلُهُ تَبَعًا لِهَوَاهُ فَيَوْمُهُ يَوْمُ سُوْءٍ , وَإِنْ كَانَ هَوَاهُ تَبَعًا لِعَمَلِهِ فَيَوْمُهُ يَوْمٌ صَالِحٌ[12]
When someone enters the morning, both their desires and their deeds gather. If their deeds follow their desires, then the day is a bad day. If their desires follow their deeds, then the day is a good day.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that each morning involves a sort of battle between a person’s actions and desires. If their actions are overcome by their desires, then that moment is unfavorable for them, as their actions follow their desires. However, if their desires are overcome by their actions, then that moment is favorable, as their desires follow their actions. This is one of the best Sufi quotes of Abu Darda’ on life that we need to understand.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Paradise
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on Paradise, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[13]مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَهُوَ يَضْحَكُ فَلْيَكُنْ لِسَانُهُ دَائِمًا رَطْبًا بِذِكْرِ اللهِ
Whoever wishes to enter Paradise while laughing should keep their tongue always moist with the remembrance of Allah.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ provides a simple tip for entering Paradise while in a state of joy: always engage in the remembrance of Allah. This is one of the virtues of Dhikr.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on Worship That Heals and Is Most Important
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on worship that can heal and is most important, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
مَا وَجَدْتُ عِبَادَةً أَشْفَى لِلصَّدْرِ وَلَا أَفْضَلَ مِنْ مَجَالِسِ الذِّكْرِ[14]
I have not found an act of worship that can heal the diseases of the heart and is more virtuous than attending gatherings of Dhikr.
In the Sufi quote above, Abu Darda’ explains one of the virtues of Dhikr gatherings. The virtue he refers to is that engaging in Dhikr in these gatherings is an act of worship that can serve as a remedy for curing the diseases of the heart, such as arrogance, showing off, and so on.
Sufi Quote of Abu Darda’ on the Blessings of Allah
If you want to know Sufi quote of Abu Darda’ on the blessings of Allah, pay attention to the Sufi quote below!
[15]مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ نِعْمَةَ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا فِى مَطْعَمِهِ وَمَشْرَبِهِ فَقَدْ قَلَّ عَمَلُهُ وَحَضَرَ عَذَابُهُ
Whoever only recognizes the blessings of Allah in terms of their food and drink, their good deeds are few and their punishment has already come.
The Sufi quote above clarifies a common misunderstanding among some Muslims. Generally, people consider provisions to be limited to wealth, jewelry, cars, and so on. If we have had this misconception, then we are misunderstanding the concept of sustenance in Islam. In Islam, the concept of sustenance is very broad. Health is sustenance. Being a Muslim is sustenance. Being able to breathe is sustenance. Being able to urinate and defecate is sustenance. The ability of our eyes to blink is sustenance, and so on.
In the quote above, Abu Darda’ explains that someone who views sustenance only as food and drink actually has very few good deeds, and their punishment has already come. Such a person lacks a proper understanding of Islam, particularly the concept of sustenance in Islam.
That concludes the discussion of some Sufi quotes of Abu Darda’ in English and Arabic. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please write them in the comments section.
I think that’s enough for this article. I hope it is beneficial. Amen!
See you again in the next article!
Source Citations
[1] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1 (Cairo: Maktabah ad-Dar al-Arabiyah li al-Kitab, 2009), 180.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1, 181.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Muhammad Abdurrauf al-Munawi, Al-Kawâkib ad-Durriyyah fî Tarâjumi as-Sâdah ash-Shufiyyah (الكَوَاكِبُ الدُّرِّيَّةُ فِى تَرَاجُمِ السَّادَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ), vol. 1, 182.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
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