Ibn al-Jawzi also relates that Ibn Abu Hatim al-Razi said: I entered Damascus to see the transcribers of hadith. I passed by Qasim al-Ju`i's circle and saw a large crowd sitting around him as he spoke. I approached and heard him say: Do without others in your life in five matters: - If you are present among people, don't be known; - If you are absent, don't be missed; - If you know something, your advice is unsought; - If you say something, your words are rejected; - If you do something, you receive no credit for it. I advise you five other things as well: - If you are wronged, do not reciprocate it; - If you are praised, don't be glad; - If you are blamed, don't be distraught; - If you are called liar, don't be angry; - If you are betrayed, don't betray in return. Ibn Abu Hatim said: 'I made these words all the benefit I got from visiting Damascus.'(2) (1) Ibn al-Jawzi, Sifat al-safwa 2(2):200 (#763). (2) Ibid. ------------------ In his biographical monograph al-Durratu al-Yatîmiyya fî al-Sîrati al-Taymiyya, al-Dhahabî reports that Ibn Daqîq al-`îd said, upon meeting with Ibn Taymiyya: "I saw a man with all the sciences [laid open] before his eyes, taking what he wished and leaving what he wished." Asked why he did not debate him, Ibn Daqîq al-`îd answered: "Because he loves to speak (yuh.ibbu al-kalâm) and I love silence." ------- source: texts by g.f haddad
