The Counsel of Salih ibn Junah al-Lakhmi al-Dimashqi to His Son

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Suli from Muhammad ibn Yazid al-Mubarrad, who said: I heard Amr ibn Bahr al-Jahiz say: Salih ibn Junah al-Dimashqi advised his son:

“O my son, if a day and night pass by and your faith, health, wealth, and family remain intact, then increase your gratitude to Allah, the Exalted. For how many have lost their faith, been stripped of their possessions, had their dignity violated, or suffered a broken back on that very day, while you remain in well-being. As I say:

If I were granted my wish, I would ask for nothing but pardon and well-being.
For how many a young man has slept in blessing, only to be deprived of it the following night.”