This presentation was delivered to a group of students after Ramadan 2017 when I had been reflecting on the final advice of my father - may Allah(SWT) have Mercy on him. His advice was based on the advice of Luqman the wise as captured in the Qur'an.

1. My father’s final advice
31.13

2. “I don’t have the best advice.
But I know where you can get it.”
Luqman
the wise

3. “My dear son…”

4. Who do you
speak
affectionately
to?

5. The tongue pierces faster,
deeper and sharper than any
sword can.

6. “Do not ascribe partners to
Allah.
Indeed, ascribing partners to
Allah is grave transgression.”

7. What can’t
you do without?

8. Spend your life serving the
most worthy cause.

9. “Indeed, We commanded man (to be good)
to his parents.
His mother carried him (in her womb)
despite weakness upon weakness, and his
weaning is in two years.
(We said to man,) “Be grateful to Me, and
to your parents. To Me is the ultimate

10. The difference between
happy people & unhappy people
is their level of gratitude.

11. “However, if they force you to ascribe partners
to Me about whom you (can) have no (source
of) knowledge, then do not obey them.
Remain with them in this world with due
fairness, but follow the way of the one who has
turned himself towards Me.
Then, towards Me is your return, so I shall tell
you what you had been doing.”

12. You are
responsible to
God for your
parents

13. Good treatment of your parents
and companionship of the
sincere

14. “(Luqmān went on saying to his son,) “My
dear son, in fact, if there be anything to the
measure of a grain of wheat, and it be
(hidden) in a large rock or in the heavens or
in the earth, Allah will bring it forth.
Surely, Allah is All-Precise, All-Aware.”

15. Nothing goes
unnoticed

16. “My dear son, establish
prayer…”

17. What can’t
you do without?
What is
immovable in
your life?

18. Prayer is our link to Allah.

19. “… and enjoin good
and forbid evil”

20. Always speak out for the truth
and speak against what is
wrong.

21. “… and observe patience
on what befalls you.
Surely, this is among the
matters of
determination.”

22. When you are patient, you
develop grit and courage in
other aspects of your life

23. “And do not turn your
cheek away from people”

24. Listen to others and treat them
well. Nobody made you a
superior.

25. “Do not walk on the earth
haughtily.
Surely, Allah does not like
anyone who is arrogant, proud”

26. It was pride that changed
angels into devils.
It is humility that makes
men as angels.

27. “And be moderate in your
walk”

28. Guard your actions

29. “and lower your voice.
Surely, the ugliest of voices is
the voice of the donkey.”

30. Control your voice and speak
gently to others.

31. Has the time not arrived for our hearts to be
moved by this preserved advice?

32. Many receive advice.
Only the wise profit from it.Harper Lee