Al-Jahiz

Al-Jahiz (c. 778-869), full name Abu Uthman amr ibn Bahr al-Jahiz, was an Islamic philosopher and writer. He raised the level of Arabic writing and founded elegant, ornamental style of writing which later came to be known as 'adab' literature. A rationalist sect is also named after him. His famous books included Kitab al-Hayawan (Book of Animals) and Kitab al-Bayan (Book of Proof).

Wisdom & Quotes

• A certain ascetic said : " Your dwellings are before you, and your life is after your death."

And Samuel, son of Adiya, the Jew , said in verse : " Being dead, I was created, and before that I was not anything that dies; but I died when I came to life."
Hasan, son of Dinar, said : " Hasan (of Basra) saw a man in his death struggle. 'Surely', he exclaimed, ' a thing of which this is the end ought not to be desired at the first and ought to be feared at the last'. "
- Kitab al-Bayan

• Ziyad, the slave of Aiyash, son of Abu Rabi'a said, " I am more afraid of being hindered from prayer than of being denied an answer to my prayer."

- Kitab al-Bayan

• The reward of work is to come, whereas the endurance of the labour is immediate.

- The Exploits of the Turks and the Army of the Khalifate in General

• A little that makes for concord is better than a great deal that makes for division.

- The Exploits of the Turks and the Army of the Khalifate in General

• The well-informed, but dishonest in their hostility and malice, often succeed in passing off lies as truth and in clothing deception in the guise of wisdom.

- The Exploits of the Turks and the Army of the Khalifate in General

• Man indeed hates the one whom he knows, turns against the one whom he sees, opposes the one whom he resembles, and becomes observant of the faults of those with whom he mingles; the greater the love and intimacy, the greater the hatred and estrangement.

- Al Risala

Shankaracharya