Hazrat Abu Zar (Radhiallahu anhu) related that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had said to him, "I advise you to fear Allah, as this is the root of all virtues; remain engaged in the recitation of Holy Qur'an and in Zikr of Almighty Allah, which will earn you an appreciation in the Heavens and serve you as a light in this world; keep silent for most of the time, so that you speak nothing but good, as this will keep the devil away from you and make it easy for you to perform your religious duties; abstain also from too much laughing, for laughing weakens the heart and deprives the face of its spiritual glow (radiance); always take part in Jihad as this is the sign of piety for my Ummah; like the poor and keep their company; compare your lot with persons lower than you, and never look up to those higher than you, otherwise you will forget the bounties of Almighty Allah and become ungrateful to Him; try to retain ties with your relatives though they may try to break them; do not hesitate to speak out the truth, though it may be bitter for others; always obey Almighty Allah in spite of adverse criticism; find fault with your own self, and never with others; do not criticize others for the shortcomings that you suffer from. O! Abuzar (Radhiallahu anhu), there is no wisdom better than farsightedness, abstinence from the unlawful is the best act of piety, and good manners constitute true nobility."
(From Fazail-e-A'mal)
