“I entered Damascus and came upon the students of hadeeth, and I passed by the circle of Qasim al-Joo’ee. I found a group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearance amazed me; and I heard him saying:
“Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your time:
1) When you are present, you are not known; 2) When you are absent, you are not missed; 3) When you are seen, your advice is not sought; 4) When you say something, your saying is not accepted; 5)When you have some knowledge, you are not given anything for it.
I also advise you with five matters:
1) When you are treated unjustly, do not behave unjustly; 2) When you are praised do not become happy; 3) When you are criticised, do not become upset; 4) When you are not believed, do not become angry; 5) If the people act deceitfully towards you, do not act deceitfully towards them.”
Ibn Abi Hatim said: So I took this as my benefit from Damascus”
[Related by Ibn al-Jawzi (Rahimahullah) in Sifatus-Safwaa (2/200]
