Question
Can I quote this?
“Since I came to know people, I have never been pleased by their praise nor bothered by their criticism.”
He was asked, “Why is that?”
He said: “Because the one who praises goes too far, and the one who criticises goes too far.”
Answer
Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this as the statement of the pious Tabi’i, Imam Malik ibn Dinar (rahimahullah). The narration may be quoted as such.
Imam Malik ibn Dinar (rahimahullah) said: “Since coming to know people, I have neither rejoiced at their praise nor been troubled by their criticism.”
He was asked, “Why is that?”
He replied:
“Because the one who praises them often goes to excess, and the one who criticises them often goes to excess.”
(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 2, pg. 372)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
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حلية الأولياء وطبقات الأصفياء: (٣٧٢/٢)
حدثنا أبو بكر بن مالك، قال: ثنا عبد الله بن أحمد بن حنبل، قال: حدثني أبي قال: ثنا أبو الربيع عمرو بن سليمان قال: حدثني مسلم، قال: قال مالك بن دينار: منذ عرفت الناس لم أفرح بمدحتهم ولا أكره مذمتهم» قيل: ولم ذلك قال: «لأن مادحهم مفرط وذامهم مفرط.