Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 37272 — The words of Ibn Masud

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to say in his sermon: The truest speech is the speech of Allah, the firmest handhold is the word of piety (taqwa), the best religion is the religion of Ibrahim, the most beautiful of narratives is this Qur'an, and the most beautiful way is the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The noblest speech is the remembrance of Allah. The best of affairs are those resolutely settled. The worst of affairs are innovations. The finest guidance is the guidance of the prophets. The most honourable death is the killing of the martyrs. The most dangerous misguidance is misguidance after guidance. The best knowledge is that which benefits, and the best guidance is that which is followed. The worst blindness is the blindness of the heart. The upper hand is better than the lower hand. What is little and sufficient is better than what is abundant and makes one heedless. A soul you save is better than a governorship you cannot fully manage. The worst reproach is the reproach at the time of death, and the worst regret is the regret on the Day of Resurrection. Some people come to the prayer only at its very last time, and some remember Allah only with a heedless heart. The greatest of sins is a lying tongue. The best wealth is the wealth of the heart. The best provision is piety. The chief part of wisdom is the fear of Allah. The best of what is placed in hearts is certainty, and doubt is part of disbelief. Wailing over the dead is an act of the Days of Ignorance. Stealing (from the spoils of war) is an ember of Hell, and hoarded treasure is a branding from Hell. Poetry is among the musical pipes of Satan. Wine is the sum of all sins. Women are the snares of Satan. Youth is a branch of madness. The worst earning is the earning of usury (riba), and the worst food is eating the wealth of an orphan. The fortunate one is he who takes admonition from others, and the wretched one is he who was written as wretched in his mother's womb. What suffices any of you is the amount with which his soul is content, for the return is to a place of four cubits. The matter is judged by its end, and what governs a deed is its conclusion. The worst of narrators are the narrators of lies, and whatever is coming is near. Reviling a believer is a sin, fighting him is disbelief, eating his flesh is among the acts of disobedience to Allah, and the sanctity of his wealth is like the sanctity of his blood. Whoever presumes against Allah, Allah proves him a liar. Whoever forgives, Allah Almighty forgives him. Whoever pardons, Allah Almighty pardons him. Whoever restrains his anger, Allah Almighty rewards him. Whoever is patient in calamities, Allah gives him a good recompense. Whoever recognises a trial is patient with it, and whoever does not recognise it dislikes it. Whoever acts arrogantly, Allah brings him down. Whoever seeks renown, Allah Almighty disgraces him. Whoever wants this world, it wears him out. Whoever obeys Satan disobeys Allah, and whoever disobeys Allah, Allah punishes him.