Letter 72: To `Abdullah ibn al-`Abbas

Remember that this life consists of two days – a day for you and a day against you, and that the world is a house (changing) authorities. Whatever in it is for you will come to you despite your weakness; and whatever in it turns against you cannot be brought back despite your strength.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ،

Now,

فَإِنَّكَ لَسْتَ بِسَابِق أَجَلَكَ،

you cannot go farther than the limit of your life,

وَلاَ مَرْزوُق مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ.

nor can you be given a livelihood which is not for you.

وَاعْلَمْ بِأنَّ الدَّهْرَ يَوْمَانِ:

Remember that this life consists of two days –

يَوْمٌ لَكَ وَيَوْمٌ عَلَيْكَ،

a day for you and a day against you,

وَأَنَّ الدُّنْيَا دَارُ دُوَل،

and that the world is a house (changing) authorities.

فَمَا كَانَ مِنْهَا لَكَ أَتَاكَ عَلَى ضَعْفِكَ،

Whatever in it is for you will come to you despite your weakness;

وَمَا كَانَ مِنْهَا عَلَيْكَ لَمْ تَدْفَعْهُ بقُوَّتِكَ.

and whatever in it turns against you cannot be brought back despite your strength.