10. Four signs of wretchedness

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri – Allah have mercy on him – said:

“Four signs of wretchedness are:

• 1. [having] a hard heart,
• 2. dry eyes [that never cry],
• 3. extended hopes [about this life],
• 4. and greed and keenness to amass worldly things (the dunya).”                                                                                                   -[Ibn Abi Al-Dunya, Kitab Al-Zuhd article 36]