Imam Awza'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Umar bin Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, said: When you see people whispering to each other about something apart from the general public, then know that they are laying the foundation of misguidance.

Imam Awza’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Iblis said to his companions,“How do you mislead (deceive) mankind?”They replied,“We mislead him in every possible way.”Iblis asked,“Do you gain dominance over them through istighfar (seeking forgiveness)?”(Meaning, by preventing them from seeking forgiveness.) They said,“Alas! Istighfar is connected to tawheed (monotheism); how can we prevent them from it?”Iblis said,“I will introduce such things among them that they will not seek forgiveness for it.”Thus, he spread those things in the form of desires (i.e., by entangling them in carnal desires, he distanced them from istighfar as well).

Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I do not know which of the two blessings is greater for me: that Allah Almighty granted me the light of Islam, or that He protected me from desires—this is a great blessing.

Habbah bin Juwain said: I asked Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) or he said: Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If a man fasts and prays for his entire life, then is killed near the Yemeni Corner and Maqam Ibrahim, even then Allah Almighty will raise him on the Day of Resurrection among those whom he considered to be upon guidance.

It is narrated from Abu Sadiq that Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If a man places his head on the Black Stone, fasts during the day, and stands in prayer at night, even then on the Day of Resurrection Allah Almighty will raise him according to his intention.

Abu Sadiq narrated from Rabi’ah bin Najidh that Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Live among people as the honeybee lives among birds; every bird considers it weak and feeble, but if the birds knew what blessing is in its belly, they would not regard it as insignificant. Mix with people with your tongues and bodies, but keep your deeds and hearts separate, for a man has only what he has earned, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with the one whom he loved.

Imam Zuhri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Good opinion is the best minister of knowledge.

Masruq (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is sufficient for a man to be considered knowledgeable that he fears Allah, and it is sufficient for a man to be considered ignorant that he is arrogant about his knowledge.

Muslim bin Subaih said: Masruq (may Allah have mercy on him) said: A person should have such times and gatherings in which he remembers his sins and seeks forgiveness for them from Allah Almighty.