In the Western lands, I once saw a schoolteacher who was sour-faced, bitter in speech, ill-tempered, and prone to tormenting others. He was miserly, lacking piety, and his very presence ruined the happiness of Muslims. His recitation of the Qur'an darkened the hearts of those who heard it. A group …

One of the scholars was teaching a prince and would strike him without hesitation and scold him harshly. Eventually, the prince, unable to endure it any longer, complained to his father, revealing his bruised and wounded body. The king’s heart was deeply disturbed.

He summoned the teacher and asked, "Why …

A wise man was advising his sons, saying, "Beloved children, seek skills and knowledge, for the wealth and power of this world cannot be relied upon. Gold and silver are exposed to danger on journeys; a thief may take it all at once, or a master may squander it bit …

In a village at the foot of a tall mountain, a farmer lived. Every morning, he would ride his donkey to his field and orchard, where he would work until sunset.

One morning, he decided to visit his friend in the neighboring village. He put on his new clothes, mounted …

A minister had a son who was dull-witted. He sent him to a scholar, saying, "Educate him and perhaps he will become wise." The scholar instructed him for a while, but it had no effect. The scholar sent a message to the father, saying, "This boy will not become wise, …

I have heard that recently an old man,
At his advanced age, fancied the idea of marrying.
He sought the hand of a young, beautiful girl named Goher,
Whose precious beauty was hidden from the eyes of men like a pearl in a shell.

As is customary for weddings, there …

An old man was asked, “Why don’t you get married?”

He replied, “I find no pleasure in the company of old women.”

They said, “Then seek a young woman, as you have the wealth.”

He responded, “I, being old, cannot find affection with women of my age. How, then, can …

A wealthy but miserly man had a sick son. Well-wishers advised him, "It would be wise to either recite a full Qur'an for his recovery or make a sacrificial offering." The man pondered for a while and then said, "It is better to choose reciting the Qur'an, for it keeps …

Once, in the ignorance of my youth, I raised my voice at my mother. Hurt and heartbroken, she sat in a corner and tearfully said, “Have you forgotten your childhood that you now treat me harshly?”

How beautifully an old woman once said to her son,
When she saw him …

There was once a lively, graceful young man in our circle of merrymakers, always cheerful and sweet-tongued. He never had any sorrows, and his lips were always smiling.

A long time passed without us meeting. When I saw him again, he had married and had children. His joy had been …

One day, in the pride of my youth, I had ridden swiftly, but by nightfall, I was left stranded at the foot of a precarious cliff.

An old, frail man, lagging behind a caravan, approached and said, "Why are you sitting here? This is not a place to rest."

I …

I became a guest of an old man in Diyarbakir, who had great wealth and a handsome son.

One night, the old man told me, “Throughout my life, I have had no child except this son. There is a tree in this valley that people visit to make supplications for …