Among the wise men and intellectuals of the Arabs

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

O people! Listen and comprehend; if you understand, then benefit from it. Indeed, whoever lives will eventually die, and whoever has died is gone. Everything that is to come will surely come. Now, let us proceed:

In the heavens, there exists a significant message, and on the earth, there are valuable lessons. A stretched-out expanse has been created, a ceiling is elevated, stars are in motion, and oceans are unfathomable. The night is dark, and the sky is adorned with towers. Qassu has sworn an oath by Allah, a solemn oath that is neither false nor sinful, asserting that if there is contentment on earth, there will inevitably follow discontent. Indeed, Allah—exalted is His power—has ordained a religion that He cherishes more than the one you currently follow, and its time has arrived, and its duration has reached you. Why do I observe people departing (this world) without returning? Have they found satisfaction in their stay, or have they been left to slumber? The departing ones from the past have left us with insights. When I observed the paths leading to death, I found no sources to turn back to. I witnessed my people moving towards it, with both the young and the old in pursuit. The past cannot return to me, nor do the remaining ones linger. I became certain that there is no escape, as the people have all moved on. (1)

Qussu used to visit Caesar and engage in conversation with him. One day, Caesar said to him, “What is the greatest form of wisdom?” He replied, “It is the understanding of oneself.” Caesar then asked, “What is the highest form of knowledge?” He said, “It is the ability to recognise the limits of one’s own knowledge.” Caesar continued, “What is the finest aspect of one’s sense of honour?” He said, “It is the preservation of one’s dignity.” Caesar further asked, “What is the most valuable form of wealth?” He said, “It is that which is used to fulfill obligations”. (2)

(1) Bulugh Al-Arab – By Mahmud Shukri Al-Alusi 2/245

(2) Kitab Al-Amaliy 93 By Abu Ali Isma’il Bin Qasim Bin Harun Al-Baghdadi Al-Qaliy