Islam Guidance

Saeed bin Zaid bin Arta'ah met with Kumail bin Ziyad and asked him about the virtues of Ali bin Abi Taleb (A.S)
Kumail said, "I will share the will that Ali bin Abi Taleb (A.S) left for me with you, which is better than the entire world and everything that is in it."
All bin Abi Taleb (A.S) told me:
-O Kumail! Start your day with the name of Allah, "BISMILLAH" and with "LA HOWLA WA LA QOWWATA ILLA BILLAH" (There is neither strength nor power but with Allah) and depend upon Allah. And mention us with our names and send blessings on us (Salawat) and seek refuge with Allah our Lord. This will protect you and everything around you from all evil on that day.
-O Kumail! There is no knowledge except that I am the founder (opener) of it and there is no secret except that al-Qaim (A.S) will complete it. O Kumail! "Offspring, one from the other; and Allah is hearing, knowing" (3:34).
-O Kumail! Dont take (anything) except from us and you will be from among us.
-O Kumail! You (people) need help in learning about everything that exists.
-O Kumail! When you want to start eating, start with the name of Allah. Nothing can hurt you with His name; it is a cure from illness.
-O Kumail! Always have someone eat with you and do not be stingy with your food. Understand that you do not provide sustenance and that Allah will reward you for sharing your food.
-O Kumail! When you are finished eating, thank Allah for the sustenance and thank Him loudly so that others hear you and thank Him too, because this will increase your reward.
-O Kumail! Do not fill up your stomach with food, Keep place for water and space for air.
-O Kumail! Health is in eating little and drinking little.
-O Kumail! Do not turn away the poor even if you can only give them a date or a grape!
-O Kumail! Charity grows in Allah's eyes.
-O Kumail! Every nation has good and bad people. So do not get in a heated argument with those who are ignorant. And if they insult you, be patient amongst them for Allah says, "When the ignorant address them, they say: Peace" (25:63).
-O Kumail! Always tell the truth. Surround yourself with those who are pious and abandon those who are immoral.
-O Kumail! Stay away from the hypocrites and do not befriend those who will betray you.
-O Kumail! The best thing that Allah loves from His slaves, after testifying in Him and His successors, is beautifying the soul through compassion and patience.
-O Kumail! There is nothing wrong with people not knowing your secrets. O Kumail! Do not show people your needs and be patient while anticipating Allah's reward and you will thereby earn peoples trust.
-O Kumail! Who is your brother? Your brother is he who does not let you down in times of difficulty, does not keep quiet when you do something wrong, does not lie to you when you ask him a question, and does not wait to offer his help until he learns that the problem has already been solved.
-O Kumail! A believer is the mirror of his fellow believer. A believer will help identify a fellow believer's weaknesses and he will help him rectify them.
-O Kumail! Do not teach the disbelievers anything about us because they will change it and will use it against you.
-O Kumail! For any difficulty say "LA HOWLA WA LA QOWWATA ILLA BILLAH" (There is neither strength nor power but with Allah) and the difficulty will be removed.
For any blessing say "ALHAMDLI LILLAH" (All Praise Belongs to Allah) and we will increase the blessing.
If your sustenance is delayed seek forgiveness and it will come to you.
-O Kumail! Those who win in this life win a passing life, which is temporary, so understand what I have said to you and you will win the Hereafter, which is eternal.
[Source: Basharat ul Mustafa Le Shiyyat e Murtuza, Chapter 1, Hadees 43 / Bihar ul Anwar Vol.74 Pg.266-277]

Reference: Aalulbayt Global Information Center

The commander of the faithful (A.S) was once asked about Good. He said, Good is not that you have more wealth and children. Good is that your knowledge increases.
Kumayl bin Ziyad says, the commander of the faithful (A.S) held my hand and took me out of the town. When we reached wilderness he took a deep breath and said, O Kumayl! These hearts are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The best of heart are those that provide room for more knowledge and wisdom. Remember forever what I tell you.
There are three kinds of people: First, One who knows the Lord; Second, A student of the path of salvation and truth; and third, a group like flies who follow every voice; and who are dragged in any direction the wind blows.
O Kumayl! Knowledge is better than money and property. Knowledge is your security and you have to guard wealth. Money and possessions decrease by using but knowledge increases with its dispersion.
O Kumayl! Knowledge is the only faith of man and man must always follow it. Every man must, during his lifetime, adopt a way of obedience and must leave after his death a good remembrance. Knowledge is the ruler while money is the ruled.
O Kumayl, the possessors of wealth and treasures have vanished but the wise and the learned are living. The learned are alive till the world exists. Their bodies have disappeared but their high examples exist in the hearts of people.
Then pointing to his chest said: Here is the abundance of knowledge and wisdom. I wish I could find bearers for it.

Taken from: Almujtaba Islamic Articles Page