Mu'jam Kabir Tabarani 39 — These words were in a sermon of Abu Bakr

Nu'aym bin Namihah said: These words were in a sermon of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "Do you not know that morning and evening you are advancing towards an appointed term? So whoever is able to have his term come to an end while he is engaged in the work of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, let him do so; and you will attain that only with the help of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. Indeed, a people devoted their terms of life to others, so Allah forbade you to be like them: 'And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves' [Surah al-Hashr: 19]. Where are those of your brothers whom you knew? They sent forward what they sent forward in their former days, and in it they met wretchedness or happiness. Where are the tyrants of old who built cities and surrounded them with walls? They have now gone beneath rocks and graves. This is the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; its wonders never come to an end, so hold fast to it; it is a lamp for the day of darkness. Seek light from its counsels and its clear teachings. Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, praised Zakariyya (peace be upon him) and the people of his household, saying: 'Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and call upon Us in hope and fear, and they were humble before Us' [Surah al-Anbiya: 90]. There is no good in a word by which the pleasure of Allah is not sought; there is no good in wealth that is not spent in the way of Allah; there is no good in a person whose ignorance overcomes his forbearance; and there is no good in a person who, in the matter of Allah, fears the blame of a blamer."