chameleon

O my son! I shall take you to the chameleon until you can witness yourself its stratagem! For it dyes its skin with the color of its surroundings…so that you can know that amongst mankind there are those similar to it who behave the same way! And that there are hypocrites… and those who cover themselves in every guise and hide behind claims of goodness and well-wishing. - Ume Hakimah

Trust

O my son! I shall relate to you the story of the sheep and the wolf so that you do not trust the one who plots and conspires. And when anyone places his trust in you, beware—beware indeed—of betrayal! I shall take you to the lion’s den and teach you that the lion did not become king of the jungle because it can roar but rather because it has self-respect! He does not settle down upon the prey of others no matter how hungry he is—even if he is starving to death! Don’t steal the hard work of others for then you shall have acted unjustly. - Ume Hakimah

Sleep Early!

Sleep early, o my son. For blessing in provision is in the morning. And I fear that the provision of al-Rahman will pass you by because you spent the night awake! - Ume Hakimah

Honeybee Not Fly

O my son! When you criticize anyone, then it is the glance of the honeybee which you must cast in order to see. And do not look at people with the eye of a fly for you will then land only on what is filthy. - Ume Hakimah

When People Attack You

And when people attack you while you are upon the truth or malign you with criticism, then rejoice. They are actually saying to you that you are productive and influential. For a dead dog is not kicked and stones are not cast except upon fruitful trees. - Ume Hakimah

Travel

When you desire to discover the true worth of a friend, travel with him because during travel, a person is unveiled. The external appearance melts away and the true self is uncovered. And why else is travel (safar) called “the one which uncovers”? Except because it discloses the actual manners and character. - Ume Hakima