Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Mas’ar says that Zaid Ammi gave me a letter in which it was written that a man advised his son: O my son! Become such a person who stays away from people out of independence and chastity, so that gentleness and mercy may be close to him. His staying away should not be due to arrogance or pride. His being close should not be for the sake of deceiving or betraying. He should not be hasty in doing doubtful things. He should forgive as much as possible. He should not be deceived by the praise of those who do not know him, and he should not forget what he has already done. If it is mentioned, people’s words should make him fearful, and for what they do not know, he should seek forgiveness. He should ask questions to acquire knowledge, speak to benefit others, remain silent to attain safety, associate with others to understand matters. If he is among the heedless, he should be counted among those who remember (Allah), and if he is among those who remember, he should not be counted among the heedless, because he remembers (Allah) when people are heedless, and when people remember, he does not forget his Lord. Ibn ‘Utaybah has added to this that he should combine knowledge with forbearance, and his lack of interest in perishable things should be like his interest in things that are everlasting.