Words of Wisdom

Luqman admonished his son: “My son,” he said, “do not associate others with God; to associate other with God is a mighty wrong.” We have enjoined man to show kindness to his parents, for with much pain his mother bears him, and he is not weaned before he is two years of age. Give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me all things shall return. But if they press you to associate others with Me, of whom you know nothing, then then do not obey them. Be kind to them in this world, but follow the way of him who turns to me. To me you shall return and I shall tell you what you have done. “My dear son, God will bring all things to light, be they as small as a grain of mustard seed, be they hidden inside a rock or in heaven or on earth. God is Wise and All-Knowing. My dear son, be steadfast in prayer, enjoin good and forbid evil. Endure with fortitude whatever befalls you. That is true constancy. Do not treat people with scorn, nor walk haughtily on the earth; God does not love the arrogant and the vainglorious. Rather let your gait be modest and your voice be low; the ugliest of all voices is the braying of the ass” (31:13-19).