Sound Advice From Umar bin Al Khattab, RA

 
Umar, ra, once said to Al-Anhaf bin Qais, “O Ahnaf, the more one laughs, the less dignity will he possess. Whoever jokes (excessively or indecently) is a person who will be taken lightly. Whoever does something frequently will become known by that thing. Whoever speaks often, errs often; the more often one errs, the less modesty will he possess; whoever has a low level of modesty will also have a low level of piety; and when one has a low level of piety, then his heart dies.”

While advising another man, ‘Umar, ra, said,: “Do not speak about that which does not concern you. Know your enemy and be wary of your friend, except for the trustworthy one. And no one is trustworthy, except for the person who fears Allah, SWT. Do not walk with the evildoer, lest he teaches you some of his wickedness; and do not reveal your secrets to him. And when you consult others in your affairs, consult only those who fear Allah ‘Azza wa-Jall (the Possesor of might and majesty)”.1


1. taken from the book: Glimpses From The lives of Righteous People, originally from the book: Sifatus-Safwah 1/149