So Early!

I decided to nurture you while you were still in my womb so that you would become the greatest personality. And if you were to say to me: “O my mother, why did you begin so early?” Well, you will discover that if a person grows older, nothing except a miracle can benefit him so long as he does not change by himself!- Ume Hakimah

Reform

O my son! And when you intend the reform of the world, I shall say to you that I don’t want you to! We do not want to get rid of evil. Imagine the universe without cheaters and without liars—how would the noble ones live? And how will we be able to become the more distinguished and better known? - Umm Hakimah

Belittling Yourself

O my Son! Look out for tomorrow…prepare…roll up your sleeves! Be dignified and be proud of yourself! For however you see your own self, so will others see you. So beware of belittling yourself. For you become big when you want to become big and you alone decide to shrink down! - Umm Hakimah

Do Not Cry!

Do not cry O my Son! over the past for it is enough that it has passed. For it is frivolity if we hold on to sawdust from timber and continue to saw!- Umm Hakimah

Do Not Grieve!

Do not grieve, o my son, over what happens in life! For we were not created except to be tried and tested until Allah can see whether we are patient. So for this reason, be easy on yourself and do not be distressed! And be certain that relief is near for when the darkness of the clouds intensifies, then the time is not far when it will rain!- Umm Hakimah

Doubt!

And when a doubt concerning you settles into people’s hearts, defend yourself…clarify…vindicate yourself! Do not be meddlesome—sticking your nose into every issue, standing up with whoever stands when the masses gather! O my son, elevate yourself from this; indeed, that sight disturbs me! - Ume Hakimah

Smile!

   O my son, You can change people’s hearts not with magic or trickery but through your smile and sweetness of words. With these two, you can do magic! Smile…glory be to the One who made smiling in our deen an act of worship and that we are rewarded for it!

   In China, if you don’t smile, they don’t allow you to open a store. If you cannot find one who smiles at you, then smile at others yourself! For if your mouth opens up into a smile, hearts will quickly open up for you to allow you to interpret them!