The one who is [truly] imprisoned is the one whose heart is imprisoned from Allah and the captivated one is the one whose desires have enslaved him.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
Remembrance is to the heart what water is to the fish. And what is the state of a fish that leaves water?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Remembrance is vital for emotional well-being, just as water is essential for a fish's survival.
This quote by Ibn Taymiyyah highlights the importance of remembrance in nurturing the heart and soul. Just as fish cannot survive outside of water, human beings struggle emotionally when they lose the practice of remembrance, which serves as nourishment for our inner lives and emotional health.
Themes
RemembranceHeartWaterFishEmotional Health
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might say, 'As Ibn Taymiyyah wisely noted, remembrance is to the heart what water is to the fish.'
More from Ibn Taymiyyah
All quotes βThe sign of the people of bidβah is that they do not follow the salaf.
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Whatever is not done by the permission of Allah will not happen, and what is not done for the sake of Allah will not benefit or remain.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
The more humble, needy, and subdued you are before Allah, the closer you will be to Him.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
If you do good in secret, Allah will shower His good on you in public.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
Make tawba not just for sins you've committed, but also for obligations you haven't fulfilled.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
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