The Beauty of the Righteous and Ranks of the Elite (Hilyat al-awliya wa tabaqat al-asfiya) by Abu Naim al-Isfahani
In the Name of Allah, The
Most Merciful & Compassionate Lord
I
The Beauty of The
Righteous
& Ranks of The Elite
All praises be
to Allah. May He grant success to His servant. In seeking His help, I have
compiled this book which contains the names and sayings of a special group of
people who are known for their faith and piety, who have attained a unique
spiritual integrity that was recognized by their contemporaries, and who are
revered to this day by every true seeker on the path of God Almighty, Allah,
the Lord and Cherisher of the universes, blessed be His Name.
This book comprises
selected narrations of some of the early companions of God's messenger upon
whom be peace, and their status and signs.
From the numerous
prophetic sayings and those of the blessed companions of God's messenger I
quoted in this book, the reader will acknowledge that it is only by the grace
of Allah that such blessed beings have recognized the signs of their Lord, and
only through His guidance that they have forsaken the common to seek the
uncommon, and intelligibly, they have departed from the ephemeral to pursue the
eternal. In fact, these most blessed human beings have renounced the company of
the affected, the indolent and the ostentatious ones, and they longed for the company
of their Lord and His blessings in the thither life[I]
to come (Arb. Àkhira).
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud
narrated that God's messenger áfe once said to his companions: "What will
you do when a calamity will strike at you and people come to adopt innovations,
claiming them to be prophetic traditions, — innovations the young will grow to The Beauty of
The Righteous practice as (though if they
were prophetic traditions) sunna, and the elders will die satisfied to have
pietistically held unto them, — and should one default in any of them, it will
be said that he breached the sunna?" The people inquired: "O
messenger of Allah, when will that come to happen?" He replied: "This
will take place when your Qur'an readers increase in number, and your truly
learned ones decrease; when the number of your leaders and princes (umarâ') increases,
and when your trustworthy ones turn few; when worldly gains are sought via
deeds which are supposed to be done for the sake of the hereafter, and when
people solicit to acquire religious knowledge for worldly status and not for
God's sake!" 'Abdullah then added: "This is how you have turned
out." (Cf. account 280; pp. 123)
In this book, the reader
will also recognize our plain and lucid approach to this most sensitive
subject, and he will recognize the argument of scholars in this regard. Once
the essence is understood, then these unique prophetic sayings and traditions
of the blessed companions will stand clearly to refute the heretical trends of
the innovators, and they will adamantly reject the utter confusion of the
incarnationists (huliiliyiin) who adhere to the doctrine of the divine
"indwelling" in the human being, or the doctrine of the anarchist
freethinkers (mubahiyiin), among other types of atheists. However, their
lies and denials cannot affect the truth, and their vehement attacks against it
do not alter its purity, or influence the attainment of the pious ones. To the
contrary, they will prove themselves wrong and their argument hollow, while the
truth is clear and its adherents are exalted and pure. If the believers do not
expose the trends of the innovators who clearly lack true knowledge, and mostly
use the weak minded ones for their personal gains, heedlessness will continue
to be the immediate cause of destruction, and the ultimate cause of eternal
damnation in hell-fire.
As for the religious
advocates who argue against the authenticity of spiritual experiences and its
people, they prove nothing, except their lack of trueness or true knowledge, not
to mention their weakness and attachment to temporary comforts and satisfaction
with worldly ranks. Our predecessors have struggled against the shallowness of
those trying and desiring worldly status and personal gain, and their attempts
to frustrate the efforts of the students on this path — their attempts to keep
this religion on an intellectual platform only in order to tighten their grip,
domineer, and widen their control over God's creation.
As for those who have
experienced the divine benevolence, their endowment cannot be measured, and the
entire wealth of this world cannot weigh even an atom in comparison to the
bliss their Lord showed them. Although from a religious standpoint, our purpose
in this work is not to expose the ill intentions of those who deny such divine
gifts, however, it is our duty to disclose their schemes in order to
distinguish truth from falsehood. In fact, by the grace of Allah, our
predecessors on this path have published famous studies in this field, and
through their efforts, God Almighty revived the names and works of several
spiritual masters at whose hands many seekers discovered true spiritual
comfort.
Furthermore, how can we
permit the unjust attacks against God's deputies and blessed ones when their
assailants are warned of a divine war.
1-
On this subject, Abu
Huraira narrated that God's messenger âj said: "God Almighty said:
'Whosoever harms any of My deputies, I shall declare war on him. The striving
of My servant to please Me does not receive a reward greater than that of
fulfilling what I have commanded him to do. My servant volunteers in his
perseverance, offering supererogatory devotion to please Me and to earn My
love. Once I cast My love upon him, I become his hearing with which he hears,
his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he exacts justice, and his
foot that carries him. Should My servant then pray for something, I will answer
his prayers, and should he seek refuge in Me, I will protect him. Indeed, there
is nothing I have decreed, and which I hesitate to do for the sake of a
believer except causing him to experience death. He dislikes it, and I hate to
displease him, but I have thus ordained."
2-
Omar bin al-Khattâb once
found Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with both of them, sitting and crying
near the grave of God's messenger He asked him: "Why are you crying?"
Mu'âth replied: "I have remembered something God's messenger -S& said:
"The slightest ostentatiousness is polytheism, and whosoever harms any of
God's deputies has surely earned God's wrath."
God's deputies have clear
signs and known virtues. The righteous and wise people will seek their company,
and their stations are enviable even by the martyrs and the prophets.
3-
Omar bin al-Khattâb, God
be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger said: "Some of Allah's
blessed servants are neither prophets nor martyrs; they are special people who
on the Day of Reckoning, the prophets and the martyrs will envy them for their
ranks and nearness to their Lord." Someone asked: "O messenger of
Allah, who are they, and what type of deeds do they perform, so that we may
love them as well?" God's messenger replied: "They are people who
love one another in Allah, even though they have no consanguineous ties, money
to exchange, or worldly business to barter with. I swear by God, that on the
Day of Reckoning, their faces will be like effulgent lights, and they will be
raised on pulpits of light. They will not be subject to fear when the creation
is seized by the awesomeness of the Day of Resurrection, nor will they be
subject to sorrow when the rest of the creation will be seized by it." He
then recited: < Surely, God's deputies are not subject to fear nor shall
they grieve.> (Qur'an 10:62)
Among their signs is that
the seekers of their circles will inherit the delight of God's blessings and be
encompassed with His bounty.
4-
Asmâ' bint Zaid narrated
that God's messenger said: "Shall I tell you about your most exalted
ones?" The companions replied: "Indeed." He then said:
"Such are the ones that when one sees them, one remembers God
Almighty."
Such blessed beings are
also protected against trials and are shielded from suffering during
tribulations.
'Abdullah bin
Omar, God be pleased with him, reported that God's messenger -áfc said:
"God Almighty has created a flock He nurtures with His mercy. He grants
them a life of purity from His own, and when they return to their Lord, He
permits them into His paradise. Such blessed ones are among those who endure
stupendous adversities and issue in safety."
Also among their signs is poverty in this
world and scarcity of their food and clothing, though their shares reach them
without much effort on their part.
5-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, reported that God's messenger said: "Perhaps there is
amongst you a disheveled person wearing a couple of rags; when people see him
they turn their faces the other way, and yet, should he call upon God Almighty,
He will answer his prayer."
Indeed, it is by their
certitude that mountains are rent-asunder, and the seas parted.
6-
On this subject, Abu
Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "I witnessed three magnificent
signs in Al'alâ bin al-Hadhrami, each one of them is greater and more
confounding than the other. We once drove in a campaign until we reached the
two Arabian seas (in the North-East.) Al'alâ commanded us to charge through as
he took the lead in driving his own horse across the water, and we followed
him. The water came up to our horses' knees. When Ibn Muka'bar, Kisra's army
commander, saw that, he screamed in shock: 'Nay, by God, I will not face such a
people,' and he immediately mounted his ship and ordered his soldiers to sail
back to Persia."
7-
Sahm bin Minjâb reported
a similar miraculous event, saying: "We once drove under the command of
Al'alâ bin al-Hadhrami. When we reached the vicinity of the town of Dârën in
Persia, there was a sea separating us from our enemy. Al'alâ bin al-Hadhrami
then prayed: 'O Omniscient Lord! We call upon Thee, O Most-Forbearing,
Most-Exalted, and Magnificent Lord. We are Thy servants, and we have mounted
this campaign for Thy sake. Lord! Grant us access to Thy enemy.' " Sahm
bin Minjâb added: Immediately and miraculously the sea parted before our very
eyes and its waters became shallow as we drove through it to win victory over
the enemy," — by God's leave.
8-
'Abdullâh bnu 'Amr
narrated that God's messenger described God's deputies, saying: "Every
century unveils forerunners amidst my followers," and indeed, they are the
forerunners in faith, certitude and determination. The rain falls and the
barren land becomes fertile by the sincerity and trueness of their prayers.
9-
'Abdullah bnu 'Amr
narrated that God's messenger & said: "The best ones among my
followers in every century are five hundred, and the deputies are forty. Their
number does not decrease. Neither the five hundred nor the forty diminish in
number. When any one among the forty deputies dies, God Almighty replaces him
with one of the five hundred." 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr added: "We asked,
'O Messenger of Allah, tell us about their signs.' He replied, 'They pardon
their oppressor, they show kindness to the unjust ones, and they share God's
blessing with others.' "
10-
On another occasion,
God's messenger said: "God Almighty has created three hundred people whose
hearts are like that of Adam, upon whom be peace, and He created forty people
whose hearts are like that of Moses, upon whom be peace. He also created seven
people whose hearts are like that of Abraham, upon whom be peace, and He
created five people with a heart like that of Gabriel, upon whom be peace,
three people with a heart like that of Mikâ'ïl, upon whom be peace, and only
one person with a heart like that of Isrâfïl, upon whom be peace. When such a
person dies, God Almighty will replace him with one of the three. When one of
such three dies, He will replace him with one of the five. When one of the
seven dies, God Almighty will replace him with one of the forty, then when one
of the forty dies, He will replace him with one of the three hundred, and when
one of the three hundred elite dies, God Almighty will replace him with someone
He chooses from the pious masses. Such a person will live among the people, and
through his prayers, by God's leave, life and death, rain and prosperity will
come, and calamity will be averted."
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud was
asked: "How does such a person bring life and cause death?" He
replied: "When he prays to Allah to expand the creation, the Almighty Lord
fulfills his prayers, and when he prays that the tyrants be put to their knees,
they will be destroyed. When he prays for rain, it will fall, when he prays for
a barren land, its harvest will grow in abundance, and when he prays to God
Almighty to lift a calamity, by God's leave, it will be lifted."
11-
Speaking to Huthaifa bnul
Yammân, God's messenger âfc once said: "O Huthaifa, in every community
among my followers there are such matted and unkempt people. In truth, they ask
only for me, they only follow me, and they live strictly by God's Book. They
issue from me and I am one of them, even if they have never seen me."
12-
In another prophetic
Hadith, 'Aisha, God be pleased with her reported that God's messenger ££ said:
"Whosoever inquires about me — or who is elated to look at me, then let
him look at any unkempt, emaciated and a pale, though a hard-working person who
has never laid a brick or built a hut. A banner was raised before him, and he
raced toward it without hesitation. Today he is unknown, and tomorrow he is a
winner, and the ultimate attainment in such race is either heaven or hell."
Such people look
carefully at the ephemeral and reject it. They examine the pleasures and
glitters of this world and they turn them down.
13-
On this subject, Wahab
Ibn Munbih reported that the disciples asked Jesus, son of Mary, upon both of
whom be peace: "It is said that God's deputies are not subject to fear nor
shall they grieve; tell us something about them, who are they?" Jesus,
replied: "They are those who look deep into the earth when others look at
the surface. They observe what is hidden when others are attracted to the
passing pleasures, and they focus on the consequences of this world, when
others seek its immediate profits. They let die in them what may shame them,
and they renounce what will ultimately leave them. They are satisfied with
little and the bare necessities from this world, and they do not even waste
their time in discussing what is ephemeral. What they receive from this world
becomes a burden and a cause of their sorrow, and they are adamant in refusing
to look at other attractions therein. What comes to them as lawful they
renounce, and the success that may cross their path they turn down. When their
dwellings fall apart, they do not rebuild them, and when their desire for this
world dies in their hearts, they do not renew it. They use their determination
and will to sustain their true comfort in the abode of the hereafter instead.
They have sold the pleasure and comfort of this world for the price of their
comfort in the hereafter. They sold what is ephemeral, and for such a meager
price, they bought what is eternal, and subsequently, they became the truly
happy ones. They look at the people who love this world and see them as dead
and toiling in-between one calamity after another. They recall death and
renounce the idea of occupying themselves with this life. They truly love
Almighty Allah. They love to speak of Him, and to constantly invoke His
remembrance. They walk by His light, and they invite and allow others to walk
by it as well. In fact, they are a true wonder, and they know the True Wonder.
Allah's glorious Book is proclaimed through them, they establish it, and live
by it. The magnificent revealed Book speaks through them, and with it they
speak. Through them the glorious Book becomes known and they will live by it.
They consider their trials as a vehicle for advancement despite the extreme
sufferings they may endure. They find no peace except in what they seek, and
they fear nothing except what should concern them most."
Such are the true
believers, and such are God's deputies (awliya). They are protected from
looking at this abject world with arrogance, and they observe the work of their
Beloved with contemplation and heedfulness.
14-
On this subject, Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once said: "When God Almighty
commissioned Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh, He said to them: 'Be not
deceived by the garment with which I dressed him, for I control his destiny,
and he cannot utter a word or blink without My will. Be not deceived by the
comfort and pleasures of the world he dwells in, for these are the lot of the
ornate and the luxury of the opulent ones. If it were My will, I can surely
dress you with ornaments from the world, and which Pharaoh will certainly
recognize his inability to muster. It is not because you are not worthy of it,
rather it is because I have dressed you with your share of honor and
exaltedness besides which the world becomes insignificant. I protect My
deputies in this world just like a shepherd drives his flock away from
dangerous fields. I drive them away from its pleasures just like a shepherd
prevents his flock from eating contaminated or poisonous grass. I want thus to
illuminate their stations, and cleanse their hearts. The countenance of My
deputy carries his signs and the reason for his true happiness. You also must
know that whosoever persecutes any of my deputies or causes them fear, has
indeed declared war on Me, and he shall meet with My ultimate wrath on the Day
of Resurrection.' "
15-
Wahab bin Munbih in his
narration of the same Sacred Tradition (Hadïth Qudsi), added that God
Almighty also said to Moses and Aaron: "You also must know that My
servants cannot wear a garment which has more significance than the garment of
asceticism and renouncing the world, for it is the cloak of the pious ones. By
it, their peacefulness and piety can be identified. The marks of their
prostration show on their faces. Such are My true servants. If you encounter
them, lower your wings to them, and speak humbly to them. You also must know
that whosoever persecutes any of my deputies or causes them fear, has indeed
declared war on Me, and thus, he has invited Me to bring about his destruction,
for I hasten first to help My deputies, and I have assigned such responsibility
to no one but Me."
16-
Ismâ'ïl Ibn 'Isa in
relating the above Sacred Tradition also reported another section of the divine
address whereby, Allah further said: "O Moses! You must know that My
servants maintain vigilant hearts and constant fear of Me. Such state manifests
in their physical condition and in their striving in the world, and it is the
immediate cause of their winning My blessings in the hereafter. I am their sole
hope by which they call upon Me, and thus, if you meet them, humble yourself to
them."
Indeed, such special
beings are the light that dispels the darkness. They are people who have filled
their hearts with constant awareness of God Almighty, and with recognition of
His divine majesty. In fact, they are God's proof on earth and His witnesses.
He dresses them with the effulgent light of His love, and raises before their
eyes the banners of His guidance so that they may seek it. He endows them with
patience to protect them against resisting His will. He makes them the
champions and models of those consenting to His will. He purifies their bodies with
the constant alertness of observing and contemplating Him. He anoints them with
the perfume of His intimate ones. He dresses them with cloaks that are woven
with the threads of His kindness, and crowns them with the light of His
pleasure and blessings. He then fills their hearts with the vestige of the
innermost secrets of His being, so that they become attracted to Him, and their
hearts attached solely to Him. Thus, their zeal and ardor rise only towards
Him. Their inner eyes constantly observe Him, and He stations them at the gate
of gazing at Him. He then makes them the gnostics, the physicians of the
hearts, and the wise sages to serve the needs of the seekers of His path. He
then says to them, 'If a needy one comes to you asking for the medicine of My
nearness, nurse his needs. Treat kindly the one who is sick and emaciated
because of his separation from Me. Comfort the heart of the one who is fearful
of Me. Warn he who is not mindful of Mè. Congratulate the one who yearns for My
continuous presence. Provide the provisions for a seeker journeying toward Me.
Encourage a coward to come forward and to barter with Me. Promise a good reward
for the one who is in despair of My munificence. Give the glad tidings of My
generosity to one who is hoping for Me to favorably consider his condition.
Open your doors to the one who thinks well of Me. Maintain strong ties with the
one who loves Me. Honor those who honor Me. Guide those who are seeking My
path. Inquire about the one who fails to regularly join your circles. Be
patient with someone's burdens if he unloads them before you. Bear up any
accusations any one may cast upon you. Do not reprimand someone who fails in
observing My rights upon him. Gently advise one who is committing wrongdoing.
Visit the sick among My deputies. Comfort someone who is struck with grief, and
shelter someone who desperately seeks you."
"O My deputies, for
your sake I reprimand, and keeping you in My presence is My will. I ask for
nothing from you except loyalty and gratitude. To comfort you, I have chosen
and elected the best of people to serve you. I have chosen you to serve Me, for
I do not like to employ tyrants or arrogant people. I do not cultivate the
confused ones for My company, nor do I answer the inquisitions of the fraudulent
ones. I do not bring nigh unto Me the ostentatious or the pretentious ones. I
do not like to sit with the lazy ones, nor do I favor the company of the
gluttonous ones."
"O My deputies! I
shall reward you with the best reward, and I shall endow you with the choicest
of gifts. I have conferred upon you My bounty. My favor upon you is the most
generous, and My dealing with you is the best of commerce. However, what I ask
of you is most demanding. I am the expert collector and connoisseur of hearts,
I am the best judge of their quality, and I know what they hide. I am the
observer of every move, and not a single blink of an eye can escape My
knowledge. I oversee all thoughts, and I know best the range of each mind. Be
ye My harbingers. Let no authority bewilder you, and fear only Me. Whosoever
threatens you, I shall come to your rescue, and I will declare war on him.
Whosoever befriends you, I shall befriend him. Whosoever harms you, I shall
destroy him. Whosoever recognizes you as My servants, I shall reward him, and
whosoever forsakes you, I will let him suffer confusion, regret, and
loneliness."
Such are God's deputies.
He is their only delight. His subtle presence and kindness is their only
solace. He safeguards their covenant, and they are answerable solely to Him.
17-
On this subject, 'Aisha,
God be pleased with her, reported that God's messenger once said: "Moses,
upon whom be peace, once asked God Almighty, 'My Lord, tell me about Your most
exalted people.' God Almighty responded, 'They are the ones who hasten to do
what I want first, just like an eagle glides with precision towards what it
desires. They are the servants of My creation who hasten to serve the guests
like a young servant does in the house of his master. They feel offended if any
of My injunctions are violated, just like an angry tiger does, for an angry
tiger attacks with impunity no matter how many people it faces.' "
Hence, among Allah's
creation, there is an elite He blessed, and a choice He made. They are servants
who take off the shoes of comfort, put on their best effort, and dislike honor
and status in this world. The admonitions and warnings of the glorious Qur'an
deprive their eyes from resting at night; and understanding the words of the
benevolent King humbles to submission their body, mind, and gaze.
Such are the ones who
have made their foreheads a constant pillow for their prostrations, and the
rough grounds of the earth a comfort for their sides. Such people embody the
Qur'an to the degree that they may even renounce the comfort of resting with a
wife, and instead, they may choose to stand up all night in prayers, and they
embrace the Qur'an instead. Hence, their hearts open, their understanding
expands, and their determination to comply with its demands is stirred to the
degree of intensifying their striving. Thus, the Qur'an becomes the candlelight
of their nights, the seat and bosom of their rest, the guiding light of their
life, and the confounding proof against their own mind. They grieve while
people seem happy, they are awake when others are asleep, they fast when others
are eating, they are bewildered while others seem at peace. Thus, they are in
constant fear and reverence of their Lord, and they are cautious about any
changes that might affect the conclusion of their life. Hence, they are mostly
fainthearted, anxious, woeful, and absorbed in their struggle. They venture
onward to meet their destiny. They free themselves from any entanglements
before it is too late, and they prepare themselves to meet their death. Their
audaciousness in pursuing the inevitable seems unimportant alongside their
greater fear of the promised punishment for failure and the dangers that engulf
the attainment of a most sought reward. They conduct their lives by the
dictates of the magnificent Qur'an. They liberate themselves by making sincere
offerings and true sacrifices. They pursue the guiding light of the Merciful
Lord and are impassioned in their pursuit until the divine utterance of the
Qur'an is fulfilled, its promises are satisfied, and its promised comfort and
joy for the believers become lawful to them. In fact, its comfort and light
shelter them, and its warnings spare them. Through it, they satisfy their
wishes, embrace their beloved, and in living by the Qur'an, they escape
adversities, and live a heedful and a vigilant life in this world. This is
because they readily and willingly bid farewell to the glitters of this world
with contempt, and they focus their gaze on the effulgent light of the
hereafter with confident expectations. Hence, they become truly content, for
they have bartered the comforts of what is ephemeral for that which is
everlasting.
Indeed, blessed is their
commerce, and winsome is their barter, for such true human beings have truly
won both, benefited from the best of both, earned God's blessings in both, and
achieved what is most praiseworthy in both. Such true believers attain their
exalted and elevated stations as a reward for their brief endurance,
determination, and a few short hours of patience. They live through the ephemeral
days of this passing world satisfied with little, and cautious of a forthcoming
distressful Day of Reckoning. They intensify their struggle when calm entices
others to slow down, and they are mindful of the unexpected surprises of the
hour.
They do not live their
days indulging in heedlessness or in the pleasures of this world, rather they
engulf themselves in striving and walking through hardships in order to build
what is praiseworthy and everlasting. Exhaustion emaciates their bodies and
weakens their physical strength, while standing up during long nights in
prayers makes them look pale, remembering a blazing fire and praying to be
spared from its sufferings.
Such blessed ones hasten
to do good and to abstain from distractions, and they are free from affectation
and obscenities. They are silent but eloquent, blind but seeing, and in fact,
no description can do them justice. For the sake of their trueness calamities
are dispelled, and upon them God's blessings are showered, for they have the
best of manners and the sweetest of tastes, and they are most true to their
promise. They are like a saddle that carries the rider, and they are the
minarets of the land, the light in the darkness, the substance of mercy and
compassion, the prime of wisdom, and the backbone of the believers. Their sides
disdain from resting and they would rather stand up in prayers, and they are
most forgiving of others' pitfalls, they are most pardoning of those who
repent, and they are most generous in their gifts.
They aspire for God's
gifts with awe, watchful awareness, and praiseworthy deeds. They dismount the
saddle of this world, brake the reins of their hopes in it, and their fear of
displeasing their Lord does not leave them a nickel to feed their hunger, to
secure their next meal, or to upgrade their shelter. They solicit nothing of
the treasures of this world, nor do they accept to relax in the comfort of its
furs. They are not attracted by the ease of its vehicles, nor is their focus
ever distracted by the glitters of its monumental palaces. Nay! They instead
see everything in its reality through the guidance of Almighty Allah, and by
His inspiration to their hearts, they live with what they have, and they move
onward with constancy, perseverance, and patience, consenting to few short days
of hard labor.
They wrap their bodies
with the essential rags, they guard them against the impermissible, and they
renounce the enjoyment of savorous foods. They retreat to themselves to avoid
possible wrongdoing, and they seek the safest passageway and the wisest course.
They walk the road of wisdom and righteousness, and they share the blessings of
thë hereafter with their companions in this world. Their guarding themselves
against true losses is their precaution against suffering when death comes, and
they fear death, its pangs, agony, distress and shock. They contemplate the
grave and its tightness, and they often think about the questioning angels in
the grave, and how will they initiate the questioning, their scorning of the
sinners, and probing of the believers. They also fear the day when they will
stand before their Lord, blessed is His name and holy are His attributes.
Such servants of God
Almighty are the light that dispels the darkness, and indeed they are the
fountainhead of wisdom, righteousness, and balance. God Almighty endows them
with unique and unparalleled virtues, He cleanses them from affectation and
replaces it with purity, trueness and sincerity.
18-
'Abdullah bin Omar, God
bless both of them, narrated that Omar once walked by Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be
pleased with him, who was crying with great chagrin. Omar asked him: "O
Mu'âth, why are you crying?" He replied: "I just remembered God's
messenger's saying, 'Among His servants, Allah loves most the pious and the
anonymous. If such a servant is not seen, no one will miss him, and if he is
present, no one will notice him. Such true and pious ones are the pillars of
guidance, and the minarets of knowledge.' "
19-
Recalling another
prophetic tradition, Thâbit bin Thawban narrated that God's messenger -êfc
said: "Blessed are the sincere ones, for they are the lights of guidance
that dispels darkness and adversities in this world."
Such true human beings
attain their exalted stations by holding fast to the rope of Allah, by spending
freely and generously from what God Almighty favors them with, and by upholding
justice.
20-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
reported tha the mother of the believers, 'Aisha, God be pleased with her,
narrated that God's messenger said: "Do you know who wins sanctuary under
God's Throne on the Day of Judgment?" People replied: "Allah and His
Messenger know best!" He explained: "Those ate the ones who
graciously accept what is just when it is offered, they generously give when
they are asked, and they judge between people by the same criterion they seek
for themselves. They are cheerful outwardly but ever anxious inwardly. The
spirit of elation comes from their contentment, satisfaction, and constant
yearning for their beloved, and their fear of losing their struggle, or even
the mere thought of separation from Him, bewilders and distresses them."
21-
Also on this subject,
Tyadh bin Ghanam narrated that God's messenger said: "I was informed by
the heavenly hosts of angels that the most dignified among my followers are
people who rejoice in public when they ponder the vastness of Allah's
all-encompassing mercy and compassion, and they weep privately when they
contemplate the rigorous punishment He reserved for the sinners and the deniers
of the truth. They sit in His blessed mosques morning and evening worshipping Him
and celebrating His praises inwardly, and they implore Him with their tongues
outwardly with reverence and awe. They pray to Him with their hands raised as
well as lowered, and they yearn for Him unceasingly. They take little from
people, and yet, it bears heavily on their hearts. They walk barefooted,
humble, unpretentious, and unnoticed, just like ants, without finery; and they
are free of self-adulation. They walk with dignity and serenity, and they rise
to the nearness of their Lord through their link to His Messenger (^). They
wear the garment of good conduct and follow the clear proof. They read the
Qur'an regularly, take their daily guidance from it, and they happily make the
necessary personal sacrifices to meet its requirements. Almighty Allah has
surrounded them with distinguished witnessing angels, and faithful guardians,
and He has illumined their faces with effulgence as a sign of His blessings
upon them and as a demonstration of His satisfaction with them. When they look
at His servants, they anticipate promising signs. They often contemplate the
vastness of Allah's creation. Their bodies dwell on earth, and their eyes are
anchored upon the heavens. Their feet stand on earth, and their hearts dwell in
the heavens. They breathe on earth, and yet, their spirits are connected to the
divine Throne. Their souls live in this world, and their thoughts are focused
on the hereafter. They only worry about what may come. Their graves are in this
world, and their ranks are exalted in Allah's sight." God's messenger then
recited: < Such is the reward of one who reveres My Majesty, and fears My
warning. >" (Qur'an 14:14)
Such true believers
hasten to pay what they owe without delay, and they do not procrastinate or
take lightly when it comes to fulfilling their religious obligations.
22-
Jabir, God be pleased
with him, narrated that God's messenger said: "God's servant has three
main duties: 1) If he recognizes one of God's rights upon him, he does not
postpone complying with it to a day he does not know whether he will live to
see; 2) he practices privately the same righteousness he offers in public; and
3) he places his hope in Allah's mercy and acceptance of his deeds." God's
messenger ' then added, 'Such is Allah's deputy/ as he pointed with his hand
thrice."
23-
Al-Bara' bin 'Âzib
narrated that God's messenger said: "God Almighty has selected an elite
among His servants. He reserved for them the highest of heavens, for they are
the wisest of people." Al-Barâ' added: "We asked: 'O Messenger of
Allah, in what way they are the wisest?" He replied: "They mainly
endeavor to please their Lord, and they renounce curiosity, aspiration for
leadership, and comfort in this world, hence, the trials of the world are light
and easy in their eyes, knowing that their exercise of patience in this world
for a short while will help them attain permanent peace in their permanent life
thereafter."
II
Asceticism and Virtues
I
n the previous chapter,
we described some of the virtues of God's deputies (awhyâ) and the ranks of the
elite (asfiya). Pursuing the prophetic example, the adherents to the
path of inner traditions, sometime use allegories (jshâràt) to describe
a phenomenon, though at other times they may depict the nature of sainthood, or
viceregency (wilâya) as a blessing which is conferred upon one who lives
by the dictates of the divine command revealed in the magnificent Qur'an, and
who emulates the sunna traditions of God's messenger upon whom be peace.
The diversity of expressions fibarat) they used throughout the ages are
clear signs to those whose hearts are awakened.
Primarily, God's deputies
emphasize the virtues of the early companions of God's messenger ££, their
piety, ascetic detachment, devotion, sincerity, deeds, faith, certitude, and
determination. The complexity of spiritual and intellectual levels of their
audience sometimes influence the outcome and the depth of their speeches. Since
all the creation that surround the human being are testimonies to the oneness
and sovereignty of God Almighty, which creations constantly celebrate His
praises and obey His commands, the most blessed companions of God's messenger
SÈ commenced by noticing such phenomena, and they pointed at such attributes.
Thus, they were satisfied to draw on such parables that relate to the human
nature. What is innate and common, they explored, and what is unique, they
emphasized. The early companions of God's messenger & who are the beacons
of purity, piety, and devotion also used such similes, as described by Sa'ad
bin Abi Waqqâss, God be pleased with him, in his saying, 'Whatever we had was
common to all, as when a ewe delivers a baby lamb, it becomes common to all.'
A true believer is
content with what he has. He is grateful for it, and he shares its blessings with
others. A true believer is also protected against excess comfort or indulgence
in this world. He uses a meager portion of his share in it to sustain his short
journey toward his Lord, and therefore, he becomes one of the numerous pillars
of trueness and guiding lights to the seekers in this world. He refrains from
abominable actions and strives for deeds that bring him closer to his Lord. He
dedicates every minute he spends in this life to exercising more devotion to
guard himself against the unexpected, and thus, he escapes from sufferings and
trials as he embarks on the straight path and takes the road to safety.
24-
'Ali bin Abi Tâlib, God
bless his countenance, said: "God's messenger once said to me, 'O 'Ali,
when you see people striving for the nearness of their Lord through the avenues
of being true unto Him, you should strive toward His nearness through the
avenues of reason ('aql). In such a way, you will rise to a higher
station than the others, and you will reach closer to Him in this world as well
as in the hereafter.' "
25-
Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri
said: "I once asked God's messenger Í&, 'O Messenger of Allah, what
are the records that were revealed to Abraham, upon whom be peace?' He replied:
'They were mostly parables and allegories. They included sayings such as:
"A servant who is not deprived of reason, and who is not overwhelmed by
material concerns must balance his time. At one time, he should converse with
his Lord, then he should question himself, then contemplate God's work, and
furthermore, he must also nurture his body with its needs of food and water.'
"
Hence, like the wool that
covers the back of a sheep and protects it from changing weather, a true
believer also has such a coat that cloaks his needs and suffices him from
needing other than his Lord. He accepts no substitute for it, nor does he let
go of it as long as he can.
26-
On this subject, Anas bin
Malik narrated that God's messenger said: "When Abraham saw the fire
(which Nemrod ignited to cast him in), he exclaimed, 'God is sufficient, and He
is the best of guardians.' "
27-
Abu Huraira narrated that
God's messenger said: "When Abraham was thrown into the fire, he prayed,
'Surely thou art are the only Lord in the heavens, and I am the only one who
worships Thee on earth.' "
28-
Nawf al-Bakâli reported
the above prophetic hadïth adding: "Upon hearing Abraham's prayers, God
Almighty commanded three thousand angels to descend on earth, and Abraham led
them in prayers uninterruptedly for three consecutive nights and days."
29-
Pursuing the same
account, Bakr bin 'Abdullah al-Mazini narrated: "When Abraham was brought
to be thrown into the fire of Nemrod, the entire creation in the heavens prayed
solemnly and fervently to their Lord, imploring Him: 'Lord! Thy bosom friend is
going to be thrown into the blazing fire. Lord, grant us permission to
extinguish it.' God Almighty replied, 'He is my bosom friend, and I have no
other bosom friend on earth besides him today. Surely, I am his only Lord and
Sustainer, and he has no other Lord or Sustainer except Me. However, if he asks
for your help, then help him, otherwise, leave him alone.' The angel of rain
then came and asked God Almighty. He said, 'Lord! Thy bosom friend is going to
be thrown into the blazing fire. O Lord, grant me permission to extinguish it.'
Again, God Almighty replied, 'He is my bosom friend, I have no bosom friend on
earth besides him today. Surely, I am his only Lord and Sustainer, and he has
no other Lord and Sustainer except Me. Yet, if asks for your help then help
him, otherwise, leave him alone.' As Abraham was being thrown into the fire, he
called upon his Lord directly, praying, 'Sufficient is Allah, and He is the
best of guardians.' Immediately God Almighty commanded the fire, saying, < O
fire, cool down and do not harm Abraham. > "
It is reported that on
that day, the weather changed suddenly, and strong winds struck the entire
gl< >e from the East to the West, and had God Almighty not stressed for
the fire not to cause Abraham harm, and instead He commanded it to bring about
his comfort, Abraham would have frozen to death.
30-
Also on this subject,
Muqâtil reported: "When Abraham was brought before the fire, and as soon
as the guards took off his shirt and tied him to a scaffold to throw him into
it, the heavens cried out, and so did the earth, the mountain, the sun, the
moon, the divine throne, the divine seat, the clouds, the winds, they all
cried, and all the angels cried out: 'Lord! Thy servant Abraham is going to be
thrown into the blazing fire. Lord! Grant us permission to come to help him.'
The fire itself then cried out, saying: 'My Lord! Thou created me and
subjugated me to be subservient to the needs of the children of Adam, and now,
Thy servant Abraham is going to be thrusted into me to be consumed by me.' God
Almighty then spoke to all of them by inspiration and said: 'My servant
worships Me, and he is being chastised by others for My sake. If he calls upon
Me, I will surely answer him, and if he asks for your help, then you may help
him.' "
"As soon as the
scaffold was brought closer to the blazing fire, the archangel Gabriel
descended and stood between Abraham and the fire, and he said: 'Peace be upon
thee O Abraham, I am Gabriel, would you need my help?' Abraham replied: 'As for
your help, nay, I do not need it, I only need my Lord.' "
"When the scaffold
released him to the fire, Allah then ordered the archangel Isrâfïl to envelop
Abraham and to protect him from the blazes with his own cloak. God Almighty
then commanded the fire: 4 O fire, cool down and do not harm Abraham. >' "
(Qur'an 21:96)
31-
Al-Manhal bin Khalid
said: "1 was told that Abraham remained in the fire for maybe forty or
fifty days, and later on, he used to say: 'My nights and days were the most
blessed therein. If it were up to me, I would have preferred to remain all my life
therein, (in God's nearness, blessings and guardianship.)' "
The modest woolen cloak
God's deputies wrap around themselves helps to make their life simple. The
absence of trims also benefit their concentration upon their real goal as a
shield against the material distractions and glitters of this world. Such
modest cloak also brakes the arrogance of the mind and eliminates any feeling
of haughtiness or of being special. It keeps the mind enthralled, feeling
unimportant, and it keeps its urges under control. Moreover, simplicity drives
one's carnality to contentment and satisfaction with little.
32-
Imam Abu Na'ïm
al-Asfahâni narrated that Imam Ja'far al-Sâdiq, God be pleased with him said:
"Whosoever emulates the living sunna traditions (zâhir) of God's
messenger upon whom be peace, is a sunni, and whosoever seeks to emulate the
innermost being (batin') of God's messenger upon whom be peace, is a
sufi."
What Imam Ja'far
al-Sâdiq, God be pleased with him, meant by emulating the 'innermost being' (batin')
of God's messenger is to strive and embrace the prophet's most exalted chaste
character and love for his Lord, and to pursue his choice and preference for
the company of His Lord in the hereafter, and that is the correct way of the
sufis.
Thus, to prefer what God's
messenger preferred, to desire what he desired, to practice the type of
devotion he practiced, and to discard what he discarded, will unfailingly
cleanse and purify one's heart, and it will make him true to his Lord. Such a
person will be guarded against adversities, and he will be saved from any harm
others may try to inflict upon him. Otherwise, to waiver from such a path and
to fail in such pursuit, to grant oneself and one's deeds high esteem, and to
indulge in satiating one's desire and hunger in this world earns the human
being nothing but growing torpor, ignorance, heedlessness, and they block his
cognizance from realizing the dangers it faces in this world as well as in the
hereafter.
33-
Suwayd bin Ghafla
reported that Abu Bakr al-Siddïq once asked God's messenger "O Messenger
of Allah, what were you sent with?" He replied: "I was sent with
'Reason' (‘aql)." Abu Bakr further asked: "How can we receive
that?" God's messenger replied: "There is no way to fully encompass
Reason ('aql), although if one adheres to what Allah made lawful and
abstains from what He qualified as unlawful, such a person will be called
intelligent and sagacious (‘aqil). Should he strive further, he will be
called a true worshipper (‘abid), and should he strive further yet, he will
be called generous and cognizant of his Lord (muhsin). On the other hand, if
one simply strives to merely comply with what God Almighty has ordained, though
incorrectly and without the needed luck, or without having true reason to guide
him to do what is good, and to dissuade him from pursuing what God Almighty has
forbidden, he becomes one of those >Whose efforts have been wasted in this
life, and yet, they hold their deeds to be valuable. > ' "(Qur'an
18:104)
34-
Abu Sa'ïd al-Khidri
reported that God's messenger â: saying: "Allah has divided reason ('aql)
into three parts. Whosoever has them, his judgment is mature and perfect, and
whosoever does not have them, he has no brains. They comprise: 1) having true
cognizance of one's Lord; 2) offering true obedience to His commands; and, 3)
exercising true patience toward what Almighty Allah has ordained."
Thus, how can one be
called a true ascetic if when he is challenged about his true cognizance of his
Lord, he grows ambivalent and confused, and sometimes he even becomes choleric,
and when he is asked to subscribe to God's commands, he falters and becomes
confounded, and moreover, when he is tried with a passing challenge requiring
him to exercise patience, he fails and becomes angry.
The learned shaikhs spoke
frequently about the inner spiritual realms, and they expounded upon their
meanings, boundaries, characteristics, and foundations. Furthermore, the
attained shaikhs have described true asceticism to have ten meanings: 1) To restrain
one's partaking from his share in this world rather than unleashing his desire
for it; 2) to train one's heart to depend solely on God Almighty and to grow
from quietude to absolute acceptance; 3) to desire submission, adding
willingness in volunteering one's servitude; 4) to exercise patience toward the
loss of comfort in this world, and to refrain from asking or complaining about
it; 5) to be selective when nursing one's needs if the object is adequately
available; 6) to occupy oneself exclusively in God Almighty; 7) to constantly
celebrate His praises more inwardly than outwardly; 8) to develop true
sincerity that is free from suspicion; 9) to have certainty when doubt emerges;
and finally, 10) to resort to absolute peace in God Almighty by dispelling and
controlling any disturbance or bewilderment. Whosoever has such qualities is a
true ascetic, a sufi, otherwise he is a fraud and a hypocrite.
If one asks: 'What is
asceticism (Arb. zuhd)?’ The answer is: Asceticism is a raiment which
God Almighty confers upon the elite among His devout creation. If they are
inspired to be grateful for it, then it will be well deserved, otherwise, they
become subject to His reprimand and they will engulf themselves in ongoing
trials and tribulations. In fact, to dispel evil conduct and to harbor every
exalted quality is the nature of a true ascetic. When he speaks, he unfailingly
expresses the truth, and when he is silent, he asserts his ascetic detachment.
The truth is that asceticism is an attribute, the meaning of which is hidden to
the majority of people aside from the unique achievers, and they are most rare.
Ascetic detachment means
to cleanse and purify one's heart and to keep it exclusively for the Lord of
the unseen, hence, an ascetic is a true Gnostic. On the other hand, the bosom
of a true gnostic ('ar if) is exposed, his heart is wounded, and his
body is waning. A true gnostic is one who truly knows God Almighty, who has
understood God's purpose, who acts upon what God commands, abstains from what
He forbids, and who calls God's creation to answer the call of their Lord and
Creator. A true gnostic is one whose heart is pure and who follows the path of
God's chosen Messenger and the seal of His prophets. He casts away the world
behind him, and feeds his passion the taste of desolation and bitterness. He
truly knows God's glory and recognizes His compassion toward His creation. If
there is a preferable expression, a true gnostic is then one who is free from
despondency and confusion. He is abounding with contemplation and purpose, and
in his eyes gold and dirt are equal.
To pursue such life, one
has to imbibe good character, and such good character will bring one to meet
with good people. To do so, one must sacrifice his carnality, expose his own
wantonness and put it to shame, upset his adversary, and lend people good
advice. He must be concerned at all times. He must teach by example, and hold
the reins of his own expectations. He must not pretend to notice others'
pitfalls. He should first acknowledge his own faults, be ready to correct his
own defects to begin with, and easily and willingly apologize for them. Such a
servant of God Almighty must embrace sorrow as his trade, and he must make
contentment the foundation of his life.
A gnostic truly knows his
Lord, he remains continuously at His doorsteps, and he forsakes any
supplemental company. His trueness raises him in station, his kindness is the
tree that nurtures him, and he faithfully guards his covenant like a shepherd
guards his sheep.
The learned shaikhs have
expounded on a variety of complex questions concerning asceticism, and they
used distinct expressions. Each one of their answers reflects the spiritual
state of the speaker, as well as the prevailing level of perception and
understanding of his audience. Altogether, the explanations of the learned
shaikhs consist of three categories: 1) first and foremost, they speak of God's
Oneness; 2) they speak of the goal of the seeker and the different stations of
his attainment; 3) and thirdly, they speak of the seeker himself and his
plight. Each one of these three categories involves numerous issues and
branches. The first is cognition ('irfân), which knowledge must be
followed by one's adherence to the code of service and ardor.
35-
On this subject, Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, narrated that when God's messenger sent Mu'âth
to teach in Yemen, he said to him: "You will be going to live among some
of the people of the book. Call them first to worship Allah alone, and to
associate no one with Him. If they acknowledge, then inform them that Allah has
enjoined upon them five times prayers for each day and night. If they comply,
then apprise them that Allah has decreed a tithe that will be exacted from
their rich and turned over to their poor."
36-
'Abdullah bin al-Musawwar
narrated that a man once came to God's messenger ££ and asked: "O
messenger of Allah, teach me about the mystical knowledge." God's
messenger replied: "What have you done with the elementary knowledge to
prepare yourself to inquire about the extraordinary knowledge?" The man
asked: "What is the elementary knowledge?" God's messenger &
replied: "Do you know God?" The man replied: "Yes, I do."
God's messenger then asked: "What have you done with His rights upon
you?" The man replied: "Whatever God willed." God's messenger
asked: "Do you recognize death?" The man replied: "Yes, I
do." God's messenger then asked: "What have you prepared for
it?" The man replied: "Whatever God willed." God's messenger ■&
then said: "Go and perfect that section in your life, and then come back
to me so I may teach you about the mystical knowledge."
Thus, true gnosis is to
attain a perfect state which is based on knowing God Almighty, His holy Names,
eternal Attributes, and divine Actions. A seeker on this path also must
understand the characteristics of the carnal self (nafs), its evil and
stimulants. He also must know the nature of such an avowed enemy, its
entrapments and deceptions. He also must understand the nature of the world,
its arrogance, allurements, and colors; how to guard oneself from its dangers
and hazards, and how to control it and then renounce it. Once he recognizes
that all of these elements belong to one category, he will carry a struggle of
endurance by waging a rigorous battle against it while observing the mandated
prayers, marshaling supererogatory devotion, disregarding personal comfort, and
savoring the cultivated delights which will be unveiled gradually and
exclusively before such true servants, and then, he must labor to guard such
divine gifts and blessings as long as Allah wills. During the process of such
elevation, a true dependant and servant of Allah does not refrain from serving
his community and abiding by the law, nor is he ever satisfied with conjecture
or speculation. What he seeks is true and binding, and what he disallows are
obstructions that can prevent his progress. All his concerns are one. He
emulates the exalted traditions of the blessed companions from among the Meccan
émigrés (muhâjireen) as well as the Medinite partisans (ansâr). He
discards wealth and renounces fame, and instead, he favors striving and giving
preference to the needs of others. He escapes with his body to the farthest
points in the mountains and wilderness, and he raises it healthy and safe from
the disdains of the jealous eyes. At the beginning, he safeguards himself from
people's meddling with his name, in fear that they may hamper his progress or
envy his inner peace and joy, then once his reserved station is conferred upon
him by God Almighty, and once it is attained, only then that he will rest in
its bliss and effulgent light, and later on, God willing, he may return to
serve people's needs.
Such are the pious ones,
the unknown, the strangers, the travellers, and the true ones. When their faith
become true, their innermost being becomes clear and pure.
37-
On this subject, Sa'ad
bin Abi Waqqâss narrated that God's messenger said: "Allah loves a servant
who is pious, content, and unknown."
38-
In another prophetic
saying reported by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, God's messenger said: "Allah loves
the strangers most." Someone asked: "Who are the strangers?" He
replied: "Those who escape with their faith to protect it. On the Day of
Judgment, God Almighty will resurrect them in the company of Jesus, the son of
Mary, upon both of whom be peace."
39-
Ibn Mas'oud reported that
God's messenger â: said: "There will come a day when everyone's religion
will be in danger, except for someone who escapes with his faith from village
to village, from mountain to mountain, and who hides inside an abandoned den
after another."
41 - Abi Imâma reported that
God's messenger # said: "Among my followers, I love most a believer who
controls his emotions, who gives prayers and fasting a good share in his life,
who is known to worship his Lord, and who obeys Him in secret. No one
recognizes him, and he arouses no curiosities. He subsists on meager
sustenance, and exercises patience. His Lord awaits to bring him to stand
before Him, few will know of his death, and fewer are his heirs."
Inwardly, such blessed
servants enjoy illustrious ranks, and outwardly, they exhibit a noble character
and magnanimity, along with a gentle disposition, and hence, their ranks are
sublime, and their humor is most touching.
Glorifying
The Supreme Divine Omnipresence
(SalAtu
TasAbïh)
42-
On this subject, Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him and with his father, reported that God's
messenger áfc once encountered him as a young boy, and he said to him:
"Child, would you like me to express my love for you? Child, should I make
you a present? Should I give you a gift?" Ibn 'Abbas replied gratifyingly:
"Yes, indeed, O messenger of Allah, for you are to me as dear as my own
father and my own mother. Please do so." Ibn 'Abbas continued: "I
thought that God's messenger was going to give me some money, or perhaps give
me a share in a property." God's messenger áfc then said: "Pray four
groupings of supererogatory obeisance (rak'ât) each day and night. In
the first grouping and following the intention and the initial article of
thana', praising Almighty Allah, recite fifteen times, 'Glory be to Allah and
all praises are due to Him; surely there is no god except Allah.' Proceed to
recite the opening chapter of the Qur'an plus another chapter, and then, while
still standing up, recite the same formula ten times. Recite this prayer ten
times when you bow in ruku, and again, recite it ten times when you stand up
again, ten times when you prostrate, ten times when you sit back (juliis),
and ten times when you prostrate yourself for the second time, and do the same
in the remaining three groupings of prayers. When you complete the last article
of your prayers, and before the final greetings, say, 'Lord, I ask Thee to
grant me the success of Thy guided ones, the deeds of the pious ones, the
consent of the penitent ones, the determination of the vigilant ones, and the
gratitude of the learned ones, so that I may fear Thee and hold Thee in utmost
reverence. Lord, make me revere Thee so that I may never disobey Thee, and help
me to follow and obey Thy command so that my deeds would merit Thy blessings.
Make me fear wrongdoing so that I can offer true and sincere repentance, and
help me give others the good advice purely for the love of Thee. Lord, grant me
to think well of Thee so that I may depend solely on Thee. Indeed Thou art the
glorious Lord and the effulgent light.' God's messenger then continued: ' If
you keep up this practice, God Almighty will forgive you all your sins, the
minor and the major ones, the old and the new ones, the private and the public
ones, and the intentional and the unintentional ones.'"
God's ambassadors to His
creation, His intimate and beloved ones are bewildered by any form of
separation, and they are constantly perturbed should they be demoted for any
failure.
On this subject, Mu'âth bin Jabal reported
that God's messenger ÍÉ said to him: "O Mu'âth, a believer in this world
is like a prisoner. He knows well that he is watched. He acknowledges that his
hearing, sight, tongue, hand, foot, stomach and sexual organ are under constant
scrutiny. Even his glimpses and glances or whatever he gazes upon is recorded —
even should he be looking at the droppings of a bird, or beautifying his
eyelids with kohl. Every minute of striving he endures is closely watched. A
true believer cannot trust the constancy of his own heart. There is nothing
that can calm his ultimate concerns, and even then, he does expect to meet his
death at any moment. Thus, his own piety becomes his observer, the Qur'an his
guide, fear of wrongdoing his proof, nobility his trade, caution his companion,
awe his mark, prayers his cavern, fasting his shield of protection, charity his
relief, truthfulness his attendant, chastity his commander, and behind all of
that stands the glory of his Lord to watch over his performance. O Mu'âth,
knowing the revealed Qur'an has subdued the believer's desires and wants, and
by God's leave, the Qur'an stands to save him from his possible demise. O
Mu'âth, I love for you what I love for myself, and I have conveyed to you what
the archangel Gabriel, upon whom be peace, has told me. If you recognize that,
I do not know of anyone who will be happier than you when you meet me on the
Day of Resurrection and enjoy the excellence God Almighty has brought out of
you." III
The Righteous Caliphs
W
e solicit Allah's
guidance and mercy, and we commence this chapter by citing few of the numerous
virtues of some of the blessed elite, the righteous companions of God's
messenger the witnesses of the divine revelation, and later on his successors.
Each one of them was known for his distinct virtues and uprightness; their own
contemporaries as well as believers of all times will always learn from their
excellence, trace their deeds, analyze their thoughts, and try to emulate their
traits. These dear companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, were guarded
against languor and procrastination, their ultimate prize was outlined to them
during their lifetime, and none of them was ever victim to weariness or
listlessness.
In the previous chapters,
we learned how spirituality is an overwhelming state that focuses the true
heart of the believer upon his most urgent needs, and helps him to recognize
his real goal. By virtue of one's sincere striving, spirituality becomes a new
nature through which the seeker's character, conduct, and clarity become
refined. Hence, when one seeks and allows reality to come to the surface, such
innate unique essence will capture the entirety of the human being: his mind,
soul and body. The attainment of such station is then recognized through one's
recognition of his Lord, ardent devotion, absence of doubt, constancy of
servitude, purity of intention, clarity of thoughts, acuteness of judgment,
confident anticipations, and exact knowledge and control of one's moods,
tempers, and traits. Such realization also eases the seeker's struggle against
carnal urges, confrontations with falsehood, and attachments to worldly ranks
or material effects. He clearly realizes the difference between truth and
falsehood, and he lucidly discriminates between the ephemeral and the eternal,
true existence and nullity.
Such a blessed forerunner
never ceases to ponder the miracle of his Maker, and he constantly contemplates
the divine work of his Beloved. The more his realization expands, the more his
devotion increases, and his detachment from the ephemeral world becomes easier.
His zikr (remembrance) of Allah is constant in his he^rt and on his
tongue, and modesty and meekness become his trade, while he constantly battles
against procrastination and neglect of his duties. Only a profligate will take
lightly the status of such exalted beings, and only a wimp will falsely claim
to have attained their station. On the other hand, only a most intelligent
person will follow in their footsteps, and only a yearning soul for its Lord
seeks their company.
Our ambition is to lay
eye on them, we take their covenant as our covenant, we vow to walk in their
footsteps, and we pledge to remain thus until the day we meet with them before
the glorious and most magnificent presence of our Lord.
Among such most pious
prominent muhàjireen (émigrés) from Mecca to Madina, we begin herein by
citing few of the awe-inspiring accounts of the first righteous caliph Abu Bakr
al-Siddiq, may God's blessings shower upon him eternally, the most loyal and
sincere companion of God's messenger upon whom be peace.
Abu Bakr, God be pleased
with him, is one of the foremost believers who had accepted God's message which
called people to Islam, and to believe in His Messenger upon whom be peace. Abu
Bakr was called al-Sidd'iq (one who never fails to testify to the
truth), because of his unquestionable faith in what God's messenger brought
from his Lord, and he never had any doubt about the supreme authority of the
One Who revealed it. Abu Bakr was also called al-'At'iq (the ancient),
for he was one of few believers who embraced Islam as soon as they heard about
the divine revealed message.
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, God
be pleased with him, was granted an unequivocal victory from the heavens. He
was the bosom companion of God's messenger ££ during his residence and travels,
and he shared with him a magnificent fellowship filled with love, compassion,
and sharing under all circumstances. Lastly, he was laid to rest within the
same chamber where God's messenger was laid to rest, in the realms of peace and
beauty of the Prophet's Mosque, in the splendor of the garden of paradise which
radiates with the effulgent lights of the message, the chosen Messenger, and
the Seal of God's prophets, and the host of heavenly angels who continuously
and up to the Day of Resurrection will continue to descend upon his resting
place. This is the garden which housed the revelation of the holy scripture and
witnessed the birth of the city of God's messenger and his school of divine
truth.
Abu Bakr al-Siddïq is
also the blessed companion who is cited in the holy Qur'an in the most honoring
reference: < One of the two companions who were in the cave. > (Qur'an
9:40) His name resonated with honor throughout the ages, and no one among
the greatest achievers has ever attained his faith, nobility and grandeur.
Again, in the holy Qur'an, the Lord of the unseen describes his generosity,
saying: < Those who spent freely and who had fought (to defend the truth)
before the victory are not of the same rank as those who did so later, the
earlier ones are surely better > (Qur'an 57:10).
Abu Bakr al-Siddïq
accepted God's guidance and believed in His Oneness, and his guidance to Islam
was Allah's choice. When Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, heard the call of
God's messenger ££, he immediately accepted it and attested to its truth. He
then renounced the comforts of this world, and dedicated all his entire wealth
to serve God's message. Abu Bakr became the harbinger of God's messenger and
consequently, he was a prime target of persecution, abuse, and sufferings. His
heart was filled with God Almighty, he took shelter in his Lord, and he cared
little about what the world had to offer.
43-
Ibn 'Abbas, God be
pleased with him, reported that after the death of God's messenger Abu Bakr
arrived in Madina when Omar was delivering a speech. Abu Bakr gently said to
Omar: "Sit down, O Omar!" Omar discounted the advice and he pursued
his speech. At once, Abu Bakr reiterated with an imposing voice: "O Omar
sit down!" Abu Bakr then stood before the crowd, and he
testified to the oneness
of Allah, and to the apostleship of His Messenger SÉ, and he then said:
"O ye people! He who amongst you worships Muhammad, indeed Muhammad has
died, and he who amongst you worships Allah, then surely Allah is ever living
and He does not die." Abu Bakr then recited a verse from the holy Qur'an:
< Muhammad is but a Messenger, many apostles like whom have passed away
before him. Will it be then when he dies or is slain, that you will turn back
on your heels? Surely, he who turns back on his heels does no hurt to Allah;
and Allah will generously reward the thankful > " (Qur'an 3:144)
Ibn 'Abbas continued:
"I swear to Allah, that it was as if the people had never heard this verse
until Abu Bakr recited it."
45-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib
also narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "By God, as soon
as I heard Abu Bakr recite this verse, I sat down, and my feet could not
support me. I nearly fell in a swoon when I heard him say that God's messenger
ëfc had died."
The purity of Abu Bakr's
allegiance to Allah and to His blessed messenger ££, helped him to reach the
highest moral standard. Such piety can only develop from one's longing to
remain in the presence of his Lord, the unique and only Sustainer of the
universes.
46-
On this subject, 'Urwa
bin al-Zubair reported that Abu Bakr's blessed daughter, the mother of the
believers, 'Aisha, God be pleased with her, said: '(In Mecca), when the tribe
of Quraish gained influence over the property of Ibn al-Dughna, they stirred
him to demand from Abu Bakr, his neighbor, to refrain from tormenting their
feelings by reading the Qur'an aloud, and instead to read it and to worship in
the privacy of his own house as much as he wants. Abu Bakr complied with their
request, and later on he even built a prayer niche inside his courtyard.
Therein, he performed his prayers and read the Qur'an in privacy. The neighboring
women and children of Quraish kept on harassing him and prying at his house
from their roofs. Abu Bakr was lachrymose and particularly given easily to
crying when reading the Qur'an. Such faith alarmed the highborn of The tribe of
Quraish, and they further incited Ibn al-Dughnah who went again to Abu Bakr and
said: "You recognize well what we have convened. Either you curtail your
act, or give me back my property for I do not like the Arabs to say that I
cringed or failed to demand compliance with an agreement." Abu Bakr
replied: "Then I will give you back your property and solicit shelter in
Allah and in the company of His Apostle."
Abu Bakr used to easily
and readily discard his ephemeral interests in this world, and he solicited the
everlasting delights of the hereafter. It was as though he had divorced the
world and was unyielding to its allurement^.
47-
Zaid bin al-Arqam, God be
pleased with him, said: "We were visiting Abu Bakr, God be pleased with
him, and he asked for a drink. Someone in his household brought a pitcher of
fresh honey sweetened water. As soon as they handed him a cup to drink from,
Abu Bakr gazed at it and recognized what it is, he immediately wept. We
remained silent, but as soon as he regained his calm, he looked at it, and he
again burst out crying and no one dared to inquire from him. When he finally
regained his poise, we asked, 'What is it that upset you to cry thus?' He
replied: T was once with God's messenger ££, and he suddenly became annoyed and
he kept on saying: 'Get away from me, get off my back!' I said, 'O messenger of
Allah! What's happening? I see you warding off something, though I can see no
one near you!' He replied, 'The whole world (dunya) appeared before me
adorned with its ornaments, and I told it to leave me alone. The world then
said to me, 'By God, if you do turn your back to me, then no one after you will
ever escape me.' Abu Bakr added: 'When I saw the honey sweetened water, I
became afraid that perhaps the world is now coming after me, and that made me
cry.' "
Abu Bakr, God be pleased
with him, was mostly sober and abstemious. He struck a balance of the rightly
guided ones, and he never hedged on his limits. He was serious in every
endeavor in his pursuit to please Almighty Allah, the King of all kings.
48-
On this subject, it is
narrated that Abu Bakr had a male servant who used to bring him what he
collected daily of businesses and supplies. One day the servant brought home a
little food with him, and Abu Bakr was somehow hungry, and he hastened and took
a bite from it. The servant was astonished and asked: "You usually inquire
where do I get the food from! What happened to you tonight, you did not
ask?" Abu Bakr replied: "I was hungry, but anyhow, where from did you
acquire this food?" The servant replied: "Sometime ago, I was passing
by a gathering of Quraishi people, and I helped them. They were so pleased with
my courtesy, and they promised me a reward. Today, I happen to pass by them
again, and they were having a wedding. When they saw me, they remembered me,
and they offered me some food." Abu Bakr shook and said: "You have
nearly killed me!" He immediately tried to induce vomiting but without
success. Abu Bakr was then told that water would help, so he drank some and
kept on attempting to induce vomiting until his stomach was cleared. Someone
said to him: "May Allah have mercy on you. You did all of that because of
a single small bite?" Abu Bakr replied: "Even should my soul leave my
body with it, I would have carried out that undertaking. I once heard God's
messenger áfc say: 'Any body that grows on a forbidden substance, hell will be
its final abode.' Thus, I feared should any cell of my body feed on this small
bite.' "
Abu Bakr would even risk
danger if the outcome were beneficial. In fact, to tolerate the heat of
adversities is a virtue only a loyal seeker will endure in longing for his
beloved.
49-
On this subject, Asma',
daughter of Abu Bakr, reported that her father was at home when he heard a loud
commotion inside his housd. Someone then ran to him and cried out: "Hurry
up, hurry up and help your friend!" Abu Bakr quickly took off toward the
sacred Mosque, and he saw a group of unbelievers from the tribe of Quraish
heckling God's messenger SSL Abu Bakr cried out: 'Woe unto you! Would you kill
a man for saying 'God is my Lord,' and who has brought you clear signs from
your Lord?' " The people got distracted from their earlier purpose and
they lashed mercilessly at Abu Bakr. Asma', God be pleased with her, continued:
"Later on, Abu Bakr was carried home shaken by the confrontation. We all
hastened to nurse him, and whatever tresses of hair he touched came out with
his own hand as he kept on reciting: 'Blessed be Thou art, the Lord of majesty
and glory, blessed be Thou art, the Lord of majesty and glory.' " As soon
as Abu Bakr woke up from his shock, he anxiously asked: "What happened to
God's messenger?" And he was told that he was safe back in his house.
In fact, Abu Bakr, God be
pleased with him, sacrificed the insignificant to secure himself the ultimate
in significance. He sat his focus correctly and guided his intention wholly
towards the Lord of the undiminishing grace.
50-
On this subject, Zaid bin
al-Arqam narrated that God's messenger once asked everyone to give money in
charity. It happened that Omar had some money to offer, so he said to himself:
"If I ever have the opportunity to outdo Abu Bakr, it will be today."
Thus, he brought half of his money and presented it to God's messenger who
asked him: "What did you keep for your family?" Omar replied:
"An equal balance." Later on that day, Abu Bakr arrived with
everything he had, and he presented it to God's messenger ££ who asked him:
"What did you keep for your family?" Abu Bakr replied: "I left
them God and His Messenger." Omar then said: "O Abu Bakr, I shall
never attempt to vie with you again."
In deed, Abu Bakr, God be
pleased with him, was true in his devotion, and he was overflowing in his
brotherly love. He exhausted every possibility for the sake of his beloved,
God's messenger and he attended to every meticulous detail to make the heart of
his beloved comfortable.
51-
On this subject, Anas bin
Malik reported that when God's Messenger and Abu Bakr withdrew to the cave of hirâ',
during their flight from the persecution of the Meccans, and on their way to
Madina, it was nighttime, and Abu Bakr said: "O messenger of Allah, allow
me to enter the cave before you do, for should there be a snake or another
unforeseen danger, it will strike me first." God's messenger consented:
"Enter it." There, inside the cave was extremely dark, and as soon as
Abu Bakr entered it, he kept on combing its floor and feeling every single
stone. He then tore a piece of his garment and cushioned each stone with a
piece of it. He did so with each stone and pebble until only one stone was
left, and which he sat on before he invited God's Messenger áfc, upon whom be
peace, to enter the cave. In the morning, God's Messenger saw Abu Bakr's
condition, and he lifted his blessed hands to the heavens and prayed:
"Lord, I beseech Thee to grant Abu Bakr to be with me in my station on the
Day of Resurrection," and God Almighty granted his prayer.
52-
Abi Salih reported that
during the caliphate of Abu Bakr, a delegation from Yemen arrived to Madina,
and when they heard a recitation from the Qur'an, they wept. Abu Bakr remarked:
"We were like that in the beginning, but since then, our hearts have hardened."
In this sense, he meant that the companions' faith helped their hearts grow
stronger in the comfort of knowing God Almighty.
53-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
reported that when Abu Bakr fell ill, people visited him and asked whether he
had called a physician. He replied: "He already saw me." They asked:
"What was his prognosis? " Abu Bakr replied: "He said: T do
whatever I want.' "
54-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
narrated that 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf said: "I visited Abu Bakr, God be
pleased with him, during the illness of which he died. I paid my regards of
peace and I sat near him. Abu Bakr turned to me and said, T saw the world (dunya)
come before me and it knelt down, but it refrained from coming closer.
Surely a day will come, when people will adorn themselves with silk and
fineries, and they will contemn woolen garments. I swear to Almighty Allah that
it will be more advantageous for one to be unjustly beheaded than to wallow in
the throes of this world.'
55-
Yahya bin Abi Kathir
reported that sometimes during his Friday sermon, Abu Bakr used to say :
"Where are the bright ones, the handsome-looking ones, and where are those
who took pride in their youthfulness, where have they gone? Where are the great
kings who built cities and castles and fortified them with towering walls? What
happened to the lionhearted valorous ones who made their enemy suffer
humiliation in the battlefields? Time waned under their feet and they ended
inside dark graves. Think of it and take heed. They have gone far far
away." Abu Bakr would then cry out perturbedly: "Help, help!"
56-
Quoting from another
sermon, 'Abdullah bin 'Akim reported that Abu Bakr after praising God Almighty
said: "O ye people, I advise you to heed God's warning, to fear Him and to
revere Him. Celebrate His Holy Name with praises that are consistent with His
majesty and glory. Mix your yearning for Him with awe and reverence to please
Him. Persist in beseeching Him, for Almighty Allah praised the devotion of His
servant Zakaraya and his household, saying: < Lo! They vied with each other
in good deeds, and they cried to Us in longing, fear, and submission .> {Qur'an
21:90) O ye people. You must know that Almighty Allah has entrusted you
with His rights, and He has taken firm covenants from you in this regard. He
also has accepted the little ephemeral deeds you offer, and He promised you
bounty and lasting comforts for your reward. Here you have the Book of Allah,
the wonders of which cannot be fully compassed, and the light of which cannot
be extinguished. So believe in His words, pay heed to them, and make His Book
your guiding light the day you become prisoner of a dark grave. Almighty Allah
has created you to worship Him, and He delegated honorable angels to record
your actions and to watch over you. O God's servants, you must know that
whatever you do is destined for a purpose that is sometimes hidden from your
immediate perception. Thus, if you can hold to a course of serving Him when you
meet your death, then do so, though you can only do that if. God wills. Thus,
vie in such pursuit before your term expires and before you become answerable
for your failures. I warn you not to follow the example of the less fortunate
people who made their striving the reward of others, while they forgot about
their own reckoning. Think about it and take heed. They have gone far far
away." Abu Bakr would then cry out: "Help, help! O ye people, death
is a persevering caller who is haunting you, and it is swift and
unyielding."
57-
'Amru bnu Dinar quoted
from another sermon in which Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, said: "O
people! I exhort you to beware of the day when you become poor and needy, to
fear your Lord, to hail His holy Name with praises that befit His majesty and
glory, and to pray for forgiveness, for He is most forgiving."
58-
'Abdullah bin 'Akim reported
another segment of this sermon, quoting Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, to
have said: "O ye people! You must know that when you serve God
Almighty sincerely, you will have obeyed your Lord, as well as you will have
protected your rights. Pay your alms taxes and what you owe before you are
asked and pressured to do so, and on a day you have no means to do so. Pay them
even in advance when you are comfortable, and make them work for you, those
will be regarded as your supererogatory offerings. Only if you do so, that you
may receive a refund, and particularly when you are poor and need it most. O
servants of Allah, think for a moment about your predecessors. Where were they
yesterday, and where are they today! Where are the great kings who aroused the
land and raised its cities? They are forgotten, and no one even remembers them.
Today, they are like nothing, 4 Now their dwellings are desolate ruins because of their sins.
> (Qur'an 27:52) laying dead in dark graves 4 Can you find a single
one of them alive, or can you hear as much as a whisper from them? > (Qur'an
19:98) O ye people, tell me, where are your other friends and brethren?
They are now reaping the fruit of their earlier work in this world. Today, they
are either happy or aggrieved. God Almighty does not have a kinship with anyone
in His creation, and therefore, He does not grant anyone special status,
favors, or exemptions, except with regards to obeying His command and
abstaining from what He forbids. In fact, there is no benefit in any so-called
good deed that drives its author to hell-fire, and there is no evil deed after
which repentance leads its author to paradise. Indeed, there is no benefit in
any speech that does not solicit God's acceptance, nor in a deed that is not
done for His pleasure, and surely there is no benefit in a wealth which is not
spent freely for Allah's sake. In fact, one's deeds are of no worth whatsoever
if his ignorance exceeds his forbearance. Surely there is no righteousness or
virtue in one who disdains to speak the truth in fear of people's criticism
regarding God's rights. Thus, I conclude my sermon, and I ask for Allah's
forgiveness for myself and for you."
59-
'Abdu-Rahmân Ibn
'Abdullah Ibn Sâbit narrated that during Abu Bakr's last illness, he called for
Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, and sàid: "O Omar fear Allah
and realize that He has enjoined upon us duties which we must fulfill during
the day, and He will not accredit them if we fulfill them at night. He also
enjoined upon us duties He decreed that we must fulfill them during the night,
and therefore, He will not accept them should we comply with them during the
daytime. In fact, Allah, blessed is His Name, does not accept a votive deed
unless one offers the obligatory ones first. In the hereafter, the balance of
people's good deeds only tilt the balance in their favor because they had
accepted and followed His command in this world, hence, their recognition of
their Lord keeps them heedful during this life. If such truth is placed in the
balance tomorrow, it will definitely weigh heavy in their favor. On the other
hand, the good deeds of the unlucky ones are worthless and they will weigh
nothing on the Day of Reckoning, and that is because they follow naught but
conjecture and falsehood in this world, and therefore, it will be just and
equitable for the balance on the Day of Judgment to compute their deeds as
inconsequential. Whenever Allah, blessed is His Name, mentioned the dwellers of
paradise, He described them according to their good deeds, and He discounted
their pitfalls. Whenever I remembered such verses in the Qur'an, I worried
about myself should I not to be in their company. Moreover, whenever Allah,
blessed is His Name, mentioned the dwellers of hell-fire in the Qur'an, He
described them by their evil deeds, and He refused to accept their good ones
for they were not done for His sake, and hence, whenever I remembered such
people, I always prayed not to be in their group. Thus, Allah's servant must be
constantly yearning and uneasy at the same time. He should not consider his
devotion as valuable, nor should he despair of God's favor and mercy. If you
accept my admonition, then await the apace arrival of no distant visitor more
than you await the angel of death, and it will surely come, and should you not
heed my admonition, then hate nothing more the sure arrival of a distant
visitor more than the angel of death, and yet, you cannot frustrate him."
60-
'Urwa bin Al-Zubair
reported that 'Aisha, God be pleased with her, said: "I once wore a new
robe and I kept on admiring it. Abu Bakr saw me and said: 'What are you looking
at? Do you not know that right now Allah is not looking at you?' I replied:
'Why is that?' Abu Bakr answered: 'When a servant admires the glitters of the
world, God Almighty detests him until the servant comes out of it.' 'Aisha
immediately took off her new robe and gave it away in charity. When Abu Bakr
learned about what his daughter did, he commented: "Perhaps this will be
your atonement."
61-
Habib bin Dhumra
reported: "One of Abu Bakr's sons fell ill and was nearing his death. On
his deathbed, the young boy kept on anxiously looking towards a pillow on his
side. When he died, someone said to Abu Bakr, 'Before he died, your son often
gazed ponderously at this pillow!' Thus, when they raised his head and pulled
out the pillow they discovered five Dinars hidden under it. Abu Bakr became
extremely upset and he clapped one hand over the other, reiterating, 'To Allah
we belong, and to Him we return.' He then looked at his deceased son with tears
in his eyes, and said: 'My dear son, I never thought that your tender skin is
capable of bearing such a weight!' "
62-
Sa'id bin Omar narrated
that Bilal al-Habashi was under torture, and he was buried alive under heavy
stones when Abu Bakr came and bought his freedom for five measures of gold.
After accepting the deal, the Quraishi headman remarked to Abu Bakr: "I
would have sold him to you even if you had insisted and bargained on a single
measure of gold!" Abu Bakr replied: "Should you even had insisted on
asking one hundred measures of gold for his freedom, I would have paid
them."
The next sire of the
people is Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be forever pleased with him. His rank was
decreed in the heavens and then it was established on earth as the harbinger of
the truthful messenger of Allah and the seal of His prophets Omar bin al-
Khattàb, God be forever pleased with him, was the voice of the truth, and he
judged by the criterion of God's Book. His wisdom and forbearance are forever
his banners, and through him, God Almighty strengthened His message and
supported His Messenger Ufa. When Omar embraced Islam, its banners rose
high, for he was the answer to the prayers of God's rigessenger . Since that
day, God's message became populace, and its foundation took firm roots. Through
his God given magnanimity, the Muslims turn of fortune became obvious, and the
voice of the believers was heard after being clandestine. When Omar embraced
Islam, the spirit of the believers was uplifted, and he brought about a new
clarity and determination to defend the divine revealed message of Allah, the
Lord of majesty and glory, blessed is His Name. From that day on, the perfidy
of the unbelievers and their ruses were heavily shaken, the weight of their
numbers no longer influenced the balance of power, and their villainous
stratagem was openly challenged and was doomed to failure.
Omar had a remarkable
strong faith. His determination to put an end to the schemes of those who
challenged Allah's message, compelled the unbelievers to rethink their modus
operandi. He challenged them publicly through his unquestionable trust and
irreproachable reliance on the supreme power and help of the Creator of all
existence, the Sustainer of all lives, and the Guide of all souls, Allah, the
supreme and only Lord of the universe, the Lord of majesty and glory no
associate has He. Omar also shared in the hardships and the sufferings of the
believers in anticipation of seeing God's promise fulfilled, His religion
established, and to serve His supreme will on earth. Omar's equanimity spoke
even when he was silent; his immanence transcended his strength; his ascetic
detachment stated his intention, and his poised words were near prophetic, and
in fact, they were supported by divine revelations several times. Allah loved
Omar and made his words resonate with truth and justice, and Omar loved the
Lord of the universes, and feared none besides Him.
It is said that
attainment is the surfacing of hidden worth and the assertion of clear signs.
When what is hidden is valuable then what will manifest is right.
63-
On this subject, Ibn
'Abbas once asked Omar bin al-Khattab: "Why were you nicknamed al-Fârouq?"
Omar replied: "Hamza accepted Islam three days before I did, then Almighty
Allah opened my heart to it, and I exclaimed: 'Surely there is no God except
Allah, the Lord of the munificent divine Attributes.' Suddenly, no one was more
beloved to my heart than God's messenger Í&. I went to my sister and asked
her: 'Where is God's messenger á&?' She replied: 'He is meeting with the
believers at the house of al-Arqam bin al- Arqam near the hill of Safa.'
Immediately I took off and went there. At that time, Hamza and several other
companions were meeting with God's messenger then. As I knocked on the door,
the people took guard and Hamza asked: 'What is the matter?' They replied:
'Omar is at the door.' God's messenger then said to them: 'Stand back!' He then
came out to the door, and he shook me and said: 'O Omar, when are you going to
cease your act?' I replied: T came here to bear witness that there is no God
other than Allah, no associate has He, and that Muhammad is His servant and
Messenger.' Upon hearing that, the believers exclaimed: 'Allahu AkbarV
And their loud voices resonated with joy as they were heard by those living in
the vicinity of the sacred Ka'ba.' "
Upon entering the house
of al-Arqam and hearkening to God's messenger Í&, Omar asked: "O
Messenger of Allah, if we openly proclaim our faith, would we not be right,
regardless whether we live or die?" God's messenger replied: 'Indeed, I
swear by Him in Whose omnipresence my soul stands that you are right whether
you live or die.' Omar then added: "Why hide then? I swear by Him Who sent
you with the message of truth that this must be declared openly.'
Omar added: "We then
walked out of the House of al-Arqam in two rows, and God's messenger walked
steadily between Hamza and myself in the front row until we reached the sacred
mosque. The people of Quraish shook and became distressed as they saw us, and
on that day, God's Messenger named me al-Fârouq."
Thus, by guiding Omar to
Islam, Allah, blessed is His Name, raised a new banner in the battle between
truth and falsehood, light and darkness, and with it, He reconfirmed the
criterion that separates them.
Omar, God be pleased with
him, was gifted with serenity, quietude, a presaging impact, and clarity of
speech. His thoughts were balanced and concise, and his verdicts were just. He
accepted what Allah revealed, and he disagreed with the personal opinions of
His creation.
64-
On this subject, 'Ali bin
Abi Tâlib once said: "We used to say that there is an angel that speaks
with Omar's tongue."
65-
Abi Juhaifa narrated that
'Ali bin Abi Tâlib also said: "It never occurred to us that Omar was not
encompassed with the heavenly quiescence and awareness of the divine presence (sakïna).
In fact, we always believed that it spoke with his tongue."
66-
Abu Huraira narrated that
God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Allah placed truth and justice
on the tongue and in the heart of Omar."
Omar, God be pleased with
him, was gifted with strong determination and will, and several times the
divine revelations supported his insight. He remained mostly in the company of
God's messenger and he witnessed his guided approach to most of the
circumstances that surrounded the advent of God's message. Omar controlled his
thoughts, and he focused on acquiring knowledge and emulating the character of
God's messenger and he was a model believer and a pattern of a true follower.
67-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that when Omar was on his deathbed, his son, Ibn Omar came to his
father and said: "I heard people talking about you, and I promised myself
to convey to you what they said. They claim that you are not going to appoint a
successor, and yet, if you employ a shepherd, and should he leave the flock
grazing in the field and come to see you for consultation without leaving an
attendant, you would certainly consider him disloyal; surely caring for the
people is a more serious duty than shepherding."
Omar heard what his son
had to say and he' pondered for a while then remarked: "My dear son, if I
do not appoint a successor, it would be because God's messenger & did not
appoint one, and if I do, it would be because Abu Bakr did appoint a vice
regent."
Ibn Omar added: "By
God, as soon as he mentioned God's messenger and Abu Bakr, I realized that no
one can overrate the traditions of God's messenger and that my father is not
going to appoint a caliph after him."
68-
Abi Salma narrated that
Omar, God be pleased with him, once wore a new shirt, and he called his son
'Abdullah and said to him: "Son, take this blade and trim these long
sleeves for me. Place your forefingers across the edge of my knuckles and trim
the balance." The son, Ibn Omar, clipped the two sleeves with the blade
accordingly, but the cut looked somehow sloppy, and the fabric began
unraveling. Ibn Omar then said: 'Father, let me adjust the trim with a pair of
scissors instead, and then I will hem them for you?' Omar insisted: 'It is all
right son, leave them like that. I saw God's messenger wear it this way.'
"
'Abdullah bin Omar
continued: "Hence, Omar kept on wearing his shirt as is, and shortly after
that, many a times, I kept on noticing the fallen threads hanging over his
garment and feet until the shirt wore out."
Omar, God be forever
pleased with him, was a great devotee. He was extremely thankful to his Lord,
and he was most grateful for His favors. He swerved away from falsehood, and he
was disinclined to mixing with its people. In his personal life, he eliminated
any pattern that could possibly distract his focus. Although sometimes, he
himself may have versified a momentous elation, nevertheless, Omar disliked
poets because they would laud or defame someone for a fee, fame, or praise.
Omar's genuineness made him free from polytheism or arrogance, and he was known
for the purity of his intention, his kindness and interest in others' welfare.
In fact, Omar's innate virtues strengthened his faith and made him unyielding
in his pursuit of the divine goal. Thus, he sustained an unobstructed and ever
progressing spiritual state that made him evermore ready to perceive the divine
guidance, and consequently, his clarity was the prize of his humility before
his Lord, which clarity manifested by his renouncing of personal comfort or any
indulgence in mundane pleasures, and he did so by finding such strength solely
in Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory. Hence, Omar, God be pleased with him,
rose above worldly ranks to receive the glad tidings of his Lord's blessings
during his lifetime.
69-
On this subject, Tariq
bin Shahâb narrated that one his way to Syria, a miry track crossed Omar
traveling path, so he descended his camel, took off his shoes and walked
through the track. Abu 'Übaida, who also was traveling with him commented:
"Today, you have done something that is most outrageous in the eyes of the
people of the world!" Omar shook inside and said: "Oh! I wish someone
else had said that O Abu 'Ubaida! You were the most undignified people on earth
and Allah has honored you with His Messenger áfc. From now on, whenever you
seek honor in anything else, God Almighty will humiliate you."
70-
Muhammad bin Shibl
narrated that when Omar arrived in Syria, some people welcomed him at the
outskirts of the city and said to him: "O Prince and Commander of the
Believers, I wish that you would only ride on a ceremonial horse or a jade,
surely some of the highborn of the town are coming out to welcome you!"
Omar replied simply: "I do not agree with you here," and then he
pointed toward the firmament and said: "The truth resides there,"
adding, "Make way for my camel."
71-
Al-Awza'i narrated that
Omar, God be forever pleased with him, used to walk out of his house covertly
at night. One night Talha saw that, and he followed him. Talha saw Omar going
to one house, and in a while he came out and proceeded to another house before
he returned to his own house. In the morning, Talha went to the house he saw
Omar entering at night. He knocked on the door to find a blind old woman who
was infirm. He asked her: "Who is the man that visited you last
night?" She replied: "He has been taking care of me for such a long time
now. He brings me whatever I need, and then he removes the adverse." Talha
excused himself and left, adding: "I damned myself, and I said to myself,
'May your mother mourn you and be bereaved of you O Talha, are you spying on
Omar and questioning his deeds?' "
72-
Al-Hassan narrated that
Omar was once walking along with some of his companions when they passed by a
trash dump. Omar stood there for a moment pondering, and his act disturbed his
fellows. When he noticed that they were offended by the stench, he commented: "this
is the world you care so much to hoard, and this is the outcome of you trust
most and rely upon for your needs!"
Omar, God be pleased with
him, was a true ascetic. He withheld and limited his intake of the ephemeral
comfort, he opted for hardships over convenience, and he uncompromisingly
sought the everlasting solace of the hereafter.
73-
On this subject, Thâbit
bin Anas narrated that during an arid year known as 'The Year of Ashes', Omar
vowed not to eat ghee for such a time until the calamity is lifted. Omar was
once extremely hungry, and his stomach was rumbling. Thâbit saw him tapping on
his venter with his index finger, saying: "It does not matter whether you
rumble or not! You will only receive oil when life returns to normal."
74-
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss narrated
that during the caliphate of Omar, God be pleased with him, Hafsa, his
daughter, once said to her father: "O Prince and Commander of the
Believers! I wish you would wear a garment less coarse than what you have, and
accept to eat food less plain than what you eat, for God has increased our
revenues, and His favors are plenty now!" Omar replied: "I will let
your own reasoning rebuff your idea. Now tell me, do you not remember how God's
messenger and his companions lived, and how scarce was their personal
comfort?" Reminiscing and yearning for his company, Hafsa burst into
tears, and the thought of extra personal comfort was no longer an issue. Omar
added: "By God, I said to myself, if I can share with them some of their
hardships in the world, perhaps I could share with them some of their comfort
in the hereafter."
75-
Also on this subject,
al-Hassan narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, once said: "Surely
I do have the means to wear the finest of clothing, to eat the best of food,
and to live a most comfortable life. I swear to God Almighty, that if this was
the idea of comfort, then I do have the means to do so. I am not ignorant of
how to dress a camel's hump to make it more comfortable, or how to build myself
a rich reception hall, acquire impressive commodities, or make competitive
choices in this world, but I have heard God Almighty reprimanding some people
for doing so, and quoting the Holy Qur'an, Omar read: 4 You have wallowed in
your satisfaction during your life in the world and sought comfort therein.^
(Qur'an 46:20)
76-
Salim bin 'Abdullah
narrated that Omar said: "By God, we do not care much for the pleasures of
this world. We ask for the most inferior of goats to be prepared for food when
we are hungry, and we ask for wheat husk and oats' pith to be grounded for our
bread, and we prefer raisins to make our vinegar. We want to save our pleasures
and comfort for the hereafter, for we have heard God Almighty say: 4 You have
wallowed in your satisfaction during your life in the world and sought comfort
therein. > (Qur'an 46:20)
77-
'Amru bin al-Harith
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, also gave the same analogy when he
went to Iraq and when he saw how Iraqis and some of those who migrated from the
Arabian Peninsula to Iraq served luxuriant banquets and took great pride in
doing so. He said: "Listen to me O people of Iraq! If I wished to indulge
in gentry like you do, I surely have the means to do so, but we (the
companions) have renounced the comfort of this world for the sake of that of
the hereafter. Have you not heard Allah's saying (such people who love the
world): < You have wallowed in your satisfaction during your life in the
world and sought comfort therein. > (Qur'an 46:20)
78-
At one time during Omar's
stay in Iraq, some people visited him, and he offered them a little bread and
oil to eat. The visitors felt shy from him, and they politely took only little
of what he offered. Omar noticed that, and he quietly commented: "I do
realize that you are used to nibbling on fancy food! What do you want me to
offer you, a banquet of sweet and sour food together with hot and cold drinks,
or otherwise you would not stuff your bellies?"
79-
Khalaf bin Hawshab
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, once said: "I pondered upon
this subject and realized that if I desired comfort in this world, I would harm
my lasting comfort in the hereafter, and if I desired the hereafter, I must
renounce comfort in this world, and hence, I decided to give up the ephemeral.
Therefore, if you find the same, then it is surely better for you to endure a
little discomfort in this life."
80-
Sa'ïd bin Abi Burda
narrated that Omar once wrote a letter to his deputy in the North, Abu Müsa
al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with them both, and in closing, Omar said: "...
Therefore, the happiest of governors (oh the Day of Judgment) is one whose
subjects were happy with him (in this world), and on that day, the most
wretched of governors is one whose subjects have suffered under him in this
world. Beware never to procrastinate or fail to serve the people. Otherwise,
your deeds will fritter away and you will be like a cow, once it sees green
pasture, it hasten to chomp on it to grow fatter, not realizing that once it
becomes fat, it will be fit for slaughter."
81-
In another letter he sent
to Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, Omar wrote: "...When one's intention is sincere,
God Almighty will suffice his needs, protect him, and guide him in his dealings
with the people. However, if one adorns himself to please the people in this
world, only God knows what end awaits him in the hereafter. In this example,
tell me, what destiny do you expect God Almighty to grant such a person in his
immediate life, and what bounty He will reserve for him in the hereafter? I bid
you peace."
His Words of Piety
and Wisdom
One's words reflect the
state of his heart. Omar's words of wisdom are a truthful mirror of a true
believer who has submitted and dedicated his body, mind and soul to the
privilege of serving his Lord.
82-
On this subject, Mujahid
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "Patience is the
healthiest ingredient of our life."
83-
In one of his sermons,
Omar was quoted to have said: "You must know that greed means poverty, and
despair means wealth. When a man gives up hope in having something, it means
that he no longer needs it, and hence, abundance connotes absence of
need."
84-
Describing Omar's
spiritual state in his own words, 'Âmer al-Sha'bi quoted him to have said:
"My heart was mellowed in Allah to the degree that it became softer than
butter, and it was steeled in Allah to the degree that it became harder than a
rock."
85-
Ibn 'Utba also quoted
Omar's saying: "Mix with those who have patience, for their hearts are the
softest."
86-
Sufyan bin 'Uyaina
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, once admonished the believers in a
sermon to hold unto God's path, wherein he said: "Become the bearers of
God's Book and the fountainhead of knowledge, and ask Almighty Allah for yoúr food
one day at a time."
87-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Omar, God be pleased with him, once heard a man praying loud: "My Lord, I
hereby dedicate my property and soul to Thy path." Omer then commented:
"Why wouldn't one of you acquiesces to privacy regarding his circumstantialities.
When he is tried with adversities, he should exercise patience, and when he is
well, he must increase his gratitude!"
88-
Yahya bin Ja'da narrated
that Omar, God be pleased with him, once said: "I would love to have
already met my Lord had it not been for three blessings in this world — that
is: 1) to prostrate my forehead on the ground before Him; 2) to sit in
gatherings that favor the good word, which is like opting for the better of
dates on a platter; and finally, 3) for the opportunity to fight in His cause,
to proclaim His Word, and to establish His religion on earth."
89-
As for his love to
worship his Lord, Abi 'Uthmân al-Nahdi quoted Omar, God be pleased with him, to
have said: "Wintertime is an auspicious opportunity for worshippers."
90-
'Abdullah bin 'Isa
described Omar's piety and reverence of the Almighty Allah, saying: "Omar
had two dark lachrymal lines, marking the effect of his frequent crying in fear
of his Lord."
91-
Hishâm Ibn al-Hassan
said: "When Omar read a Qur'ànic verse admonishing the people, he would
suppress his emotions and gasp for breath, and he often erupted sobbing until
he was nearly choked by his own tears, and sometimes, he even fell unconscious.
When Omar recouped, he would constrain himself to the confines of his house for
some days. People would think that he was ill, and they would go to visit with
him and inquire about his health."
92-
Malik bin Dinar narrated
that al-Hassan saw Omar bin al-Khattâb during his caliphate delivering a sermon
and wearing a cloak patched in some twelve places.
93-
Dâwoud Bin 'Ali narrated
that Omar, God be pleased with him, was extremely sensitive about his
responsibilities, and he quoted him to have said: "Even should a lost goat
die at Shat al-‘Arab,[II]
I tend to think that Allah, the most exalted, will question me about it on the
Day of Judgment."
94-
Yahya Ibn Kathir narrated
that Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "If a harbinger from the skies
cries out: 'O ye people, you shall all enter paradise except one!' I would fear
that it could be me, and if he proclaims: 'O ye people, you shall all enter
hellfire except one of you!' I would
hope it will be me."
95-
Ibn 'Akim reported that
God's messenger once said to Omar: "Pray 'Lord, make my innermost being
better than my outer look, and make my outer look true and pleasing to You.'
"
96-
On the day Omar became
the Caliph, he stood on the pulpit, and after praising Almighty Allah and
thanking Him for His countless favors, Omar said: "O ye people, I am going
to pray to God Almighty, so endorse my supplications: 'Lord! I am gruff, so
please soften me. I am stingy, so please make me generous. Lord, I am weak, so
please make me strong.' " The whole congregation then solemnly assented:
"Amen."
97-
Ibn Omar, may Allah be
bless him and be forever pleased with him, once spoke of his beloved father,
saying: "Whenever I prayed behind Omar, I could hear his moaning even from
behind three rows."
98-
Thâbit bin al-Hajjâj
narrated that he heard Omar, God be pleased with him, admonishing the people in
a sermon, saying: "Weigh your actions before they are weighed, and reckon
yourselves before you are reckoned, this will make it easier for you tomorrow.
Adorn yourselves for the grand exhibition: 4 On that Day, you will be displayed
for judgment, and all your secrets will be brought to light > (Qur'an
69:18).
99-
Omar, God be pleased with
him, sometimes expressed much regret to have been a human being who is not
infallible, and who has to face awesome trials in this world. On this subject,
Abu Mu'âwiya narrated that Omar once said: "I wish I was a ram that people
fatten for food. When someone they love visits them, they slaughter it, broil
some to serve their guest, and then hang the leftover to dry. When they are
hungry they eat from it, and further discard me as feces, this would surely
have been better for me than to be human in the flesh in this world!"
100-
Omar knew of his destiny,
for he was foretold by God's messenger of his martyrdom. On this subject, Zaid
bin Aslam narrated that his father once heard Omar pray during his prostration:
"Lord, Thy will be done, I pray that Thou will not let my murder be at the
hand of a servant who prostrated himself even once before Thee, so that his
prostration will not be in his favor on the Day of Judgment."
101 - Zaid bin Aslam narrated
that Omar's daughter Hafsa heard her father pray: "Lord, let me be killed
for Thy sake, and let me die in the city of Thy Prophet." Hafsa became
upset and emotional, and she said to her father: "How could this prayer be
answered?" Omar gently replied: "If Allah wills, He will make it
happen thus."
102-
Sa'id bin al-Musayyib
narrated that Omar once built a pile of sand in the open, he placed his cloak
over it, and he laid on his back facing the skies. He then lifted his hands to
the heavens and prayed: "Lord, I have become old, my strength have waned,
and my subjects have spread all over the land. Lord, take me unto Thee
undesecrated and let my devotion not be in waste."
103-
Salim bin Hanzala
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, used to pray: "My Lord, I
seek refuge in You from a sudden and unexpected death; I implore You not to let
me be incognizant of You for even a moment, or to gather me on the Day of
Reckoning among the heedless ones."
Omar died from a lethal
wound he suffered from the poisoned dagger of a traitorous Magian who stood
behind him during a congregational prayer, and pretended to be a believer.
104-
On this subject, 'Âsim
bin 'Ubaidullâh narrated that in his last breath, Omar's head was laying on the
lap of his son, and Omar said to him with a waning voice: "Son, put my head
down on the floor!" Ibn Omar replied grievingly: "And what difference
does it make whether it is on my lap or on the floor?" Omar insisted, and
when the son complied with his father's wish, and as soon as his head hit the
floor, Omar bursted out with tears, as he prayed with tears in his eyes:
"Woe to me and to my mother should my lord not show His mercy to me
today!"
105-
Ibn 'Abbas visited Omar
during his last days, in his deathbed, and said to him: "Rejoice O Prince
of the Believers with the glad tidings of your achievements, for during your
regency, God's message triumphed in distant lands, and through you, God
Almighty cleansed the land from hypocrisy, and He endowed every one in this
land with prosperity." Omar replied: "O Ibn 'Abbas, are you lauding
me regarding what Allah allotted, and concerning the responsibility associated
with administering it?" Ibn 'Abbas realized that Omar did not want to take
credit for such, and he hastened to add: "As well as for your countless
virtues!" Omar replied: "I swear by Him in Whose presence my soul
stands, I wish that I could have left this world as on the day I was born into
it, having no deeds and carrying no burdens."
106-
After Omar passing,
al-'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib once said: "I was a neighbor of Omar bin
al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, I highly valued such a privilege, and I
never thought that there is anyone better than him. His nights were spent in
prayers, and during his days he fasted and served the people. After Omar's
death, I prayed to Allah to allow me to see him in a dream, and last night, I
saw him in a dream, walking the marketplace of Madina, and he was wearing a
very nice shawl. I bid him peace, and he reciprocated. I then asked him, 'How
are you doing?' He replied, 'Well.' I asked, 'What did you find?' Omar replied,
'My reckoning was just concluded. During its consideration, my stance was just
about to be rent asunder had I not met a Merciful Lord.' "
107-
Muhammad bin Shahâb
narrated that Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "Do not censure
something which has no immediate link to your interest. Forsake your enemies,
and beware of your close companions, except for the trustworthy ones, for
nothing equals the worth of a trustworthy companion. Do not mix with an
insolent person lest he influences you with his contumelies. Never trust such a
person with your secret, and solicit advice only from the God-fearing
people."
108-
Abi al-Zubair reported
that Omar, God be pleased with him, once said: "God Almighty has blessed
servants who abolish evil by renouncing it, and who enliven the truth by
remembering it. What they yearn for shook them, and what they fear most drives
them to forsake all comforts. They are seized by awe, and their fear cannot be
appeased. They recognize in seeing death what they have not yet experienced,
and they mix such fear with everything they renounce. Their fear renders their
sincerity true and helps them to renounce what will eventually leave for the
sake of what will certainly come. Life for them is a blessing, and death is an
honor. Such are the ones who are betrothed to heavenly chaste brides, and who
are served by eternally blessed celestial children."
The next sire of the
people, is the humble before his Lord, the chaste and truly devoted to his
Lord, the bearer of the two lights, the most revering of his Lord, who prayed
toward the two Qibla, the Sacred House in Mecca and the Furthest Mosque
in Jerusalem, and who enjoyed the privilege and blessings of migration twice,
that is 'Uthmân Ibn 'Affân, God be forever pleased with him, the blessed caliph
of God's messenger upon whom be peace.
'Uthmân, may Allah shower
him with His utmost blessings, prayed and invoked the divine favors between the
two pinnacles of the night. He rose regularly at night to offer extended supererogatory
prayers and to prostrate himself before his Creator, Cherisher, and Lord. He
prayed for God's mercy to embrace him in this life and in the next, and he
feared His displeasure and castigation. 'Uthmân was generous and most shy, and
he was vigilant, reverent, and fearful of his Lord. His fortune during the day
consisted of goodness of character, fasting and prayers, and during the night,
his fortune was made of supererogatory devotion, reading the Qur'ânic
revelation, contemplation, and prayers.
109-
'Uthmân was a
hard-working and a persevering devoted worshiper. On this subject, and after
the passing of 'Uthmân, God be pleased with him, al-Hassan bin 'Ali, God be
pleased with him and with his father, was once sitting in a group of believers,
and they were reminiscing the virtues of 'Uthmân, God be pleased with him.
Al-Hassan, referring to his father, and in anticipation that he will further
illumine this subject, said, 'The Prince of the Believers will soon arrive.'
When 'Ali, God bless his countenance, arrived, he reanimated the subject of
'Uthmân, commenting: "Indeed, 'Uthmân was among those about whom God
Almighty said: < Those who believe in Allah and do righteousness deeds, who
guard themselves against evil, and who have faith, thence, and as long as they
are God-fearing and do good deeds, surely Allah loves the charitable ones. >
(Qur'an 5:93)
110-
Abu Bakr bin Müsa
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Omar, God be pleased with him, once explained that
the Qur'ânic verse: 4 He who worships devoutly during the hours of the night,
prostrating himself or standing up (in devotion), who heeds the call of the
hereafter, and hopes to win the mercy of his Lord,> (Qur'an 39:9) refers
to 'Uthmân, God be forever pleased with him.
111-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Ibn Omar narrated that God's messenger S said: "The most
humble and unassuming person among my followers is 'Uthmân Ibn 'Affân."
112-
On this subject, Ahmad
Ibn Hanbal reported that al-Hassan spoke of 'Uthmân's regard to modesty,
saying- "Even when he was in the privacy of his house, and his doors wore
locked, 'Uthmân would not take off his robe when he poured water to wash
himself, he would sit down while taking a bath, and his modesty prevented him
from standing up naked before the all-Seeing Omnipresent Lord."
113-
'Abdullâh bin Omar once
said: "Three men from the tribe Quraish are the most cheerful, the most
modest, and they have the best of character. They are truthful when they speak,
and they are not suspicious of others' truthfulness. They are Abu Bakr
al-Siddiq, 'Uthmân Ibn 'Affân, and 'Ubaida al-Jarrâh."
114-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that when the assailants besieged 'Uthmân's house, and in moment of
distress, his beleaguered wife bursted out in tears as she cried out:
"Whether you kill him or not, he is used to recite the entire Qur'an
throughout the night during a single rak'a of his prayers."
115-
Abi Ja'far narrated that
Masrouq saw al-Ashtar, a member of the mob that murdered 'Uthmân, God be
pleased with him. Masrouq inquired: "Did you kill 'Uthmân?" Al-Ashtar
boastfully and conceitedly replied: "Yes we did." Masrouq pondered in
dismay for a moment and then said: "By God, you have murdered a man who
has fasted all his life and prayed all his nights."
'Uthmân, God be forever
pleased with him, was given the glad tidings of the adversities he had to meet,
and his heart was guarded against anxiety or complaints in that regard. 'Uthmân
met anxiety with patience, and he traveled through afflictions with
thankfulness to his Lord. He sipped the bitter taste of his trials and tribulations
in this world to savor the everlasting sweetness and solace of salvation in the
hereafter.
116-
On this subject, Abu Müsa
al-Ash'ari narrated that he was once together with God's messenger inside a
garden when someone came to the gate and sought permission to enter. God's
messenger said: "Open the gate and give him the glad tidings of paradise
and of an atrocious last trial in this world." When Abu Müsa opened the
gate, he found 'Uthmân, God be pleased with him, standing at the door, and when
I told him the news, he came in thanking Allah for His favors, and he sat down
quietly next to God's messenger
117-
Abi Hâzim narrated that
when 'Uthmân was besieged inside his house, he said: "I have made a solemn
promise to God's messenger and I must endure its consequences with
patience."
118-
Ahmad bin Sanan narrated
that 'Uthmân earned two distinct badges of honor that added to his prominence,
and neither Abu Bakr nor Omar had them: (1) 'Uthmân was unjustly murdered, and
(2) he compiled the Qur'an.
Among his other traits,
'Uthmân spent freely his entire wealth on God's path, he sought the pleasure of
his Lord, and he provided comfort to His servants. 'Uthmân took little for
himself, he wore ordinary cloaks, ate plain food, and sought the highest of
achievements, and finally, by the mercy of his Lord, he was crowned with the
highest of honors.
119-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, narrated: " 'Uthmân bought paradise from God's messenger
Í&, upon whom be peace, twice: 1) Once in a business transaction
when he bought the well of rümah (from the disbelievers), and which he
made a public property for all Muslims, and 2) he bought it a second time when
he fully financed and equipped the Army of Hardship (Jaish al- 'Usra)"
120-
Also on this subject,
'Abdu-Rahmân Ibn Abi Habab al- Salmi narrated that prior to the Battle of Badr,
God's messenger éfc delivered a sermon concerning the Army of Hardship, and he
admonished the people to support it. Initially, 'Uthmân pledged to equip one
hundred men. When God's messenger further invited the people to share in this
responsibility, 'Uthmân made an additional pledge to equip another hundred.
God's messenger £& spoke again on their behalf, and 'Uthmân again added a
pledge to equip another hundred. God's messenger then said: " 'Uthmân does
no longer need a deed of righteousness (i.e., to please Allah) after
this."
121-
'Abdullah bin Omar
narrated that when God's messenger saw 'Uthmân going back and forth to equip
the Army of Hardship
(Arb. jaish al-'usra)
before the Battle of Badr took place, God's messenger áfc prayed: "O
Allah, forgive 'Uthmân for every step he takes back and forth, for every deed
he hides and every deed he displays, and forgive him for whatever thoughts he
conceals and whatever words he utters."
122-
Al-Hassan, son of 'Ali,
once said: "I saw 'Uthmân resting inside the mosque covered with an
ordinary blanket, and he had no personal guards when he was the Muslim State's
Calif and commander of the believers. When he woke up in the morning, the marks
of stones showed on his side, and the people would point out, saying:
"This is Amir ul-Mu'mineen."' (the commander of the
believers).
123-
Ja'far bin Muhammad bin
al-Fadhl narrated that 'Uthmân used to feed the people the best of food, and
later on, he would enter his house to partake a modest meal of some bread which
he dipped in a little oil and vinegar.
124-
Sulaimân bin Músa
narrated that during his caliphate, 'Uthmân was called upon once to reprove a
group of people who engaged in an iniquitous act. When he came out of his
house, the people had dispersed, 'Uthmân praised God Almighty for sparing him
from such encounter, and on that day, he bought the freedom of a slave as an
expression of his deep gratitude to his Lord."
125-
Maimoun bin Mihrân
narrated that al-Hamadâni told him: "I once saw 'Uthmân, during the appogé
of his caliphate, riding on a mule and his servant Nâ'il riding behind
him."
126-
'Abdullâh bin al-Rümi
narrated that 'Uthmân once said: "If I was given a choice between going to
heaven or hell, and not knowing to which of the two I will ultimately be taken,
I would rather be turned into ashes before I know my final destination."
127-
'Abdullâh bin 'Amir bin
Rabi'a was once visiting with 'Uthmân and he heard him say: "Let Allah be
my witness, that I have never committed adultery in my life, whether during the
period of jàhiliyya (Arab paganism), or later on in Islam, and I became
more reserved since the religion Islam was established."
128-
'Abdullah al-Madïni
narrated that 'Uthmân's servant Hani said: "Whenever 'Uthmân visited a
grave, he sobbed until his beard was soaking in tears."
129-
Abi Masja'a narrated:
"We once went along with 'Uthmân to visit a dying person, and 'Uthmân instructed
him to utter the testimony, 'Là ilâha il Allah' (Surely there is no god
except Allah). When the person did what he was told, 'Uthmân immediately
commented, 'I swear by Him in Whose presence my soul stands, with this
testimony which he has just cast upon his sins, he has wiped them out
altogether.' The people inquired with a degree of wonder, 'Is this something
that you are personally testifying to, or did you hear this statement from
God's messenger ?' 'Uthmân replied, 'Indeed, I have heard it from God's
messenger Someone then asked, 'If uttering this testament proves thus for a
dying person, then what effects would it have on a healthy person when he
testifies to it?' 'Uthmân replied, 'Much much stronger.' "
The fourth sire of the
people, is the beloved of God Almighty and of His faithful creation, the gate
of the city of knowledge, the commanding orator, the master of reason and
intellect, the explainer of allegories, the pure blessing, the moral authority,
the instinct of certitude, the fathomer of truth, the dean of piety, the beauty
of knowledge, the truthful explainer whose heart is full of wisdom, whose
tongue is most inquisitive, and whose ears are most conscious; the chieftain of
the pious ones, the mirror of sages, the righteous judge, the most forbearing
sire and the righteous caliph, 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib, God bless his countenance.
130-
Abu Huraira narrated that
on the eve of the Battle of Khyber, God's messenger said: "Allah will
grant us victory tomorrow at the hand of a man to whom I will hand this flag.
He loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him."
That night, the people retired wondering who of them will receive and carry the
flag. In the morning, God's messenger ££ inquired: "Where is 'Ali?"
People replied: "He is suffering from conjunctivitis." God's
messenger ëè said: "Call him up." Thus, when 'Ali, God bless his
countenance, came, God's messenger placed a touch of his blessed saliva over
'Ali's eye, prayed for its recovery, and by God's leave, miraculously 'Ali's
eyes became healthy again, and God's messenger handed him the flag. 'Ali asked:
"O messenger of Allah, should I fight them until they become like
us?" He replied: "Be patient first and until you reach them. Kindly
invite them to accept God's message of Islam, and explain to them about God's
rights therein, for I swear by Allah, that should He guide even a single man
through you to His path, it will be better for you than owning the ever largest
herd of red camels in all the land."
131-
Sa'ad narrated that God's
messenger said to 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "You are unto me what
Aaron was to Moses."
132-
Sa'ad also narrated that
God's messenger once said to 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "You are
from me and I am from you."
133-
Omar, God be pleased with
him, said about 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "Before God's messenger
died, he was pleased with 'Ali."
The
Epitome of Islam!
134-
Muqâtil bin Qatâda
narrated[III]
that a man from the Tribe of Khazâ'a once came and asked 'Ali, God bless his
countenance: "Have you ever heard God's messenger upon whom be peace,
epitomizes the religion of Islam?" 'Ali replied: "Yes indeed, I have
heard God's messenger & say, 'Islam is based on four pillars: 1) patience;
2) certitude; 3) struggle (jihad); and 4) justice. From patience evolve
four branches, 1) yearning; 2) compassion; ascetic detachment; and 4)
contemplation. Therefore, whosoever yearns for the heavenly paradise must
control his passion, and whosoever fears burning in hell-fire must step away
from what is forbidden, and whosoever develops ascetic detachment from this
world must regard his adversities as negligent, and whosoever awaits death must
hasten to do good. On the other hand, from certitude branches four shoots; 1)
An intelligent insight; 2) wisdom in interpreting the events; 3) cognizance and
taking heed of the past and present lessons of life; and finally, 4) pursuing
the prophetic traditions. Therefore, whosoever develops an intelligent insight,
he will be able to interpret the past and current events with wisdom, and he
will recognize and take heed of the lessons of life. Whosoever develops such
true knowledge and wisdom, he will unavoidably pursue the prophetic traditions,
and finally, whosoever pursues the prophetic traditions, he will be assembled
among the earlier (al-awwaleen) and the most blessed cluster of
believers. As for the branch of struggle (jihad), it also has four
branches, 1) to command what is good and beneficial; 2) to forbid what is evil
and loathsome; 2) to speak the truth in its proper place; and 4) to forsake the
company of evil people. Therefore, whosoever commands what is good and
beneficial, he would have become the backbone of the believer, and whosoever
forbids what is evil and loathsome, he would have compelled the spite of a hypocrite
to yield to the truth, whosoever always speaks the truth, he would have paid
his dues and proved the truthfulness his religious adherence, and whosoever
forsakes the company of evil people, he would have spared himself the wrath of
Allah, and finally, whosoever becomes angry for the sake of Allah, then
Almighty Allah will defend him imperiously. Finally, the branch of justice also
has four shoots, 1) depth in one's understanding; 2) fruition of his knowledge;
3) unswerving adherence to the divine jurisprudence; and 4) resting in the
gardens of forbearance. Therefore, one who fathoms the depth of matters can
explain the beauty of knowledge; one who guards the fruit of knowledge will
recognize and adhere to the divine jurisprudence; and one who recognizes the
boundaries of the divine jurisprudence will be able to enter and enjoy the
gardens of forbearance, and finally, one who enjoys the gardens of forbearance
will be shielded against the bitterness of trials and visitations, and will he
live among people who will delight in his company."
It is also said that
spiritual purity means to exclusively and happily seek one's beloved for all of
one's needs.
135-
On this subject, Abu Bakr
bin Khallâd narrated that Fatima, the blessed daughter of God's messenger God
be pleased with her, went to her father one evening, with a request to find her
a maid to help her through her ever growing daily chores. When she got there,
she shied from asking him, and when he inquired about what's worrying her, she
quietly replied, 'I have only come to pay my respect to you.' When Fatima, God
be pleased with her, returned to her house, 'Ali, God bless his countenance,
asked her, 'What happened?' She replied, 'I couldn't ask him for anything!'
136-
Also in reference to the
above tradition, 'Amru bnu Murra narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance,
expounded: "...On the third evening, we were in bed when God's messenger
came to us. I wanted to get up and leave my bed, but he quickly and firmly
said, 'Stay where you are!' God's messenger then sat down between us, and when
his feet touched our bed, I felt their coolness in my chest. God's messenger
£& then said, 'Let me teach you something which will prove to be more
beneficial for both of you than what you have asked of me! When you retire to your
bed, say, 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times, 'Subhan Allah'
thirty-three times, and 'al-Hamdu Lillah' thirty-three times, and that
will be much better for you than a servant.' "
'Ali continued: "I
have never departed from that practice since then."
'Ali, God bless his
countenance, upheld the course of his established daily routine invocations awrâd,
including his regular reading of the holy Qur'an, and in combination with his
regular required prayers, and yet, he loved to excel. 'Ali accepted God's will pietistically,
he submitted his own will and strength to his Lord, and he made his religious
life a total dedication to the will of Almighty Allah by unfailingly and
happily accepting His decree.
137-
On this subject,
al-Hussain son of 'Ali, narrated that his father once said: "One evening,
we had gone to bed when God's messenger â visited us late at night. When I
opened the door, he entered our chamber and said: 'Do you not pray at night?' I
evasively replied: 'O messenger of Allah, our souls are in Allah's Hand, and if
He wills, He will wake them up.' God's messenger Ê& left immediately
without reply, and walking away, he tapped over his side with his hand and
recited the verse: 4 Surely, humans are exceedingly contentious > [Qur’an
18:54).
138-
Abi Salih al-Hanafi narrated
that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, once asked God's messenger £& to
advise him, he replied: "Say, 'God is my Lord/ and then hold fast to the
criterion of the straight path." 'Ali repeated the prayer, then added,
'Allah is my Lord. My success can only come from God. In Him I trust, and
towards Him I look.' God's messenger then said, 'O Aba al-Hassan! May your
knowledge be blessed. Indeed you have received knowledge from its fountainhead,
and you have earned your share of it with uttermost devotion.' "
139-
Also on this subject, Ibn
Mas'oud said: "The Qur'an was revealed in seven local dialects. Each
letter of it has an outer and an inner meaning, and 'Ali has the knowledge of
both."
140-
Habirah bin Barim
narrated that al-Hassan, son of 'Ali, God be pleased with both of them, once
gave a sermon after his father's martyrdom, and during his speech, he said:
"The man who has just departed yesterday, no one in the past could have
ever rivalled his knowledge, nor will anyone in the future be able to do that."
141-
Ibn 'Abbas narrated that
Omar, God be pleased with him, used to say: " 'Ali is the most equitable
judge among us, and Ubiyyu is our most learned Qur'an reader."
142-
Mu'âth bin Jabal narrated
that God's messenger said: "O 'Ali, I vie you with the prophethood, and there
will be no prophet after me, and yet you vie people in seven virtues, no one
among the Quraish tribe can deny them: (1) You were their first to believe in
Allah; (2) you are their most true to your promise; (3) you are their most
discerning with regards to God's commands; (4) you are their most just, (5) the
most compassionate toward the people; (6) the most enlightened in understanding
matters; and finally, (7) you have the most advantage before God Almighty on
the Day of Judgment."
143-
Also on this subject,
'Abd Khair narrated that 'Ali once said: "When God's messenger áfc passed
away, I vowed not to put a cloak over my shoulders (or cross over the threshold
of my door) until I had memorized the entire Qur'an from cover to cover by
heart, and thus I did."
144-
Abi Sa'id al-Khidri
narrated: "We were once walking with God's messenger when his shoe strap
broke. 'Ali hastened and immediately mended it for him, and then, he went back
to his other duties. As we proceeded, God's messenger spoke: 'O people, some
among you will be fought for their interpretation of the Qur'an as fiercely as
I was fought by those who denied its revelation.' "
Abi Sa'id al-Khidri
continued: "I sought 'Ali to tell him about the had'ith (prophetic
saying) of God's messenger ££, but when he heard it, he did not comment nor did
he show any emotion, and as though he had heard it from before."
145-
Sulaimân al-Ahmasi
narrated that 'Ali, God be pleased with him, said: "I swear by Allah that
whenever a verse was revealed, I knew who it concerned and where it was
revealed, for my Lord has gifted me with a conscious heart and an inquiring
tongue."
146-
Abi al-Bakhtari narrated
that 'Ali was once asked about himself, and he replied: "I was always
given whatever I prayed for, and whenever I refrained from asking, I was
presented with a greater divine generosity, I had no choice but to
accept."
When in tight
circumstances, 'Ali, God be pleased with him, engaged in hard labor to earn his
daily bread, he used common sense, and he stood above mundane motives.
147-
On this subject, Mujahid
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, said: "One morning in
Madina, I was extremely hungry, and on that day, I took off from my home and
sought to find some work in the upper outskirts of the city. On my way, I found
a bedouine woman who had raised a small hump of dates on the ground intending
to wash them. I went to her and offered to clear off the dates from their
spadix and to wash them for the price of a single date, and the woman agreed.
Thus I worked until my hand broke out with boils. When I completed the job, I
washed my hands with some water, and I went to her with my hands stretched out
to receive my wage. The woman graciously placed therein sixteen dates (instead
of one). Immediately, and before eating any of them, I walked all the way back
to God's messenger Ofc, and I told him about what happened, and he
smiled and shared some dates with me."
'Ali, God bless his
countenance, was adorned with the garment of true devotion, trueness, and
ascetic detachment.
148-
On this subject, 'Ammar
bin Yasâr narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once addressed
'Ali, God bless his countenance, saying: "O 'Ali, surely Allah has adorned
you with a cloak there is no other raiment He likes better, and that is the
cloak of the abrâr (the true ones to their Lord). He inspired you to
renounce the comfort of the world, and neither you nor will the world cause one
another any losses. He made you love the meek, He made you happy in their
company, and He made them love your leadership."
149-
Also on this subject, 'Ali,
son of al-Hussain, God be pleased with both of them, narrated that his
grandfather 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib said: "On the Day of Judgment, this dunya
(world) will come before its Lord adorned with its best regalia and it will
say, 'Lord, make me a gift to some of your deputies.' Almighty Allah will say:
'Go away, you are naught. You are too flimsy and unworthy of any of My
deputies.' The world will then be folded like a piece of fabric, and it will be
cast to burn eternally in hell-fire."
When 'Ali renounced any
attachment to the world, his ascetic detachment removed many veils, and thus
his blindness was lifted, and he was guided with the inner light of basïra.
150-
Al-Hussain bin 'Ali
narrated, re 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib, God bless his countenance, that God's messenger
said: "One who renounces the world, Allah will endow him with knowledge
without him seeking education, He will endue him with inner guidance beyond
guidance, and He will open his inner sight (b asira) and remove his
blindness."
'Ali was indeed an
indisputable gnostic who truly knew the Lord of the universe ('ar if
-billâh). He fathomed the divine essence, and his heart was filled with
gratitude and reverence for his Lord. Consequently, 'Ali was able to recognize
the veils of separation before they were lifted.
151-
Ibn 'Abbas narrated that
'Ali, God bless his countenance, once commissioned him to go to Zaid bin
Sawhân. In his reply, Ibn 'Abbas said: "O Prince and Commander of the
Believers, I have only known you as one who has fathomed the divine essence,
and in whose heart God is greatly revered..."
Know
Your Lord
152-
Also on this subject,
al-Nu'mân bin Sa'ad said: "I was in the city of Küfa, visiting the Prince
and Commander of the Believers, 'Ali bin Abi Talib, when Nawf bin 'Abdullah
came to see him and said: 'O Amir al-Mu'mineen, there are forty Jews at
the door requesting to see you.' 'Ali replied: 'Let them in.' When the visitors
stood before him, their spokesman said: 'O 'Ali, describe to us your Lord who
is in the heavens, how is that, how was He before, when was He; and what is
He.?' 'Ali immediately straightened up his sitting posture, and he replied,
'Hearken to me and do not worry! You need not to ask anyone else beside me
about this subject.' 'Ali then added: 'My Lord was there first, and nothing
ever existed besides Him. He did not commence from what or was intermingled
with what! His attributes cannot be fixed or limited. He is not an apparition
that can be pursued or delimited, nor is He veiled to be contained. He did not
issue from what was not, and thus He is not an occurrence. Exalted and most
glorious is the Creator and Maker of everything, Lord of the universe, Whose
divine majesty is most awesome and beyond having to explicate His essence to
His creation, and instead, we say (as He described Himself, Qur'an 57:3)
that He was there from the beginningless beginning, and He is the eternal
without end. He is not subject to changes, nor is He affected by what He causes
to change. How can He be described by an occurrence He created, and how can His
divine being be limited to the best fathom of the greatest rhetoricians of all
times. He did not emerge from something else that can lead one to assume His
manifestation, nor did He emanate from anything else that brought Him into
being. He is without how, and He is closer than one's jugular vein, and yet, He
is beyond description in the widest perceivable realms. Not a single glaring of
anyone of His entire creation combined is ever hidden to Him, nor the sequence
of any uttering or a sound is ever veiled to Him or is unperceived by Him, and
neither is a single progression of any toddler is obscure to His divine
knowledge, and nor is the stretch of the tiniest step taken by any of His
creation in a dark gloomy night, or at any depth or layer of this world is not
visible by Him. The brilliant moon in its fullness does not veil His
magnificent effulgent presence, nor can the radiant sun and the full gamut of
its rays brighten and make His presence more luminous. The orderly changing
stretches of the nights and what they bring, and the prolongation and
shortening of the daylight hours are within His knowledge, for He alone has the
knowledge of what He wills to exist, and the wisdom behind their alterations.
He is the omniscient Lord Who is full of knowledge of every space, time,
sequence, duration and term. The time allotted for the existence of His
creation is predetermined solely by Him, and boundaries are not His attributes.
He did not create things from preexisting matters nor from elements that were
known before Him; rather, He created everything from inception, He made their
nature perfect for their respective needs, and He fashioned everything and
rendered it its best complementary form. Exalted is He in His glory, for there
is nothing that can prevent or limit His reach, nor can anything interfere in
His will. He does not benefit from the obedience of His creation, and He is
swift in answering their prayers. The countless myriads of angels in the
heavens as well as the two earths are subservient to Him. His knowledge of the
annihilated beings and past souls is as intricate as His knowledge of the
ever-expanding universe and changing lives. His knowledge encompasses
everything in the highest heavens and what is in the deepest layers of the
earth. He knows everything. He distinguishes the multitude of sounds He
created, and each of them stands distinct from the others before Him. Languages
do not preoccupy Him. He is the All-Hearing Lord and without the extremities of
a body, and He alone manages the entire universe, and He is the All-Seeing
Lord, the Living, and the sole Sustaining power behind the entire existence.
Glory be to Him, He spoke to Moses with words without the need for limbs or
tools, nor lips nor through the vibration of a uvular sound. Exalted is He beyond
ascription of mechanical attributes. He who alleges that our Lord is limited is
indeed ignorant of the Creator who is worshipped in the heavens and on earth.
The one that imagines Him contained within boundaries will live his life
confused and mixed up. Instead, it is God Almighty, Allah, who encompasses
everything. Therefore, if you are troubled, and if you have gone to the extend
of asking questions to describe the Merciful Lord, seeking an explanation
beyond what He already revealed about Himself, inquiring in excess of the
manifest proof of His sovereignty, then describe to me the archangels Gabriel,
Michael, or Isrâfïl. How can you? Thus, if you are incapable of describing the
created (angels), then how can you describe the Creator? What you can understand
is limited to recognizing the attributes and the essence of perceived matters,
but when it comes to describing the One Whom no slumber nor sleep can seize
Him, you will surely fail. To Him belongs what the two earths, the heavens and
all what they embody, and He is the Lord of the magnificent throne." (Also
narrated by al-Nu'tnan and Ishaq)
153-
Also on this subject,
Ahmad bin Abi al-Hawwâri narrated that 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib, God bless his
countenance, said: "I would not be happy if I had died as an infant, and
if I entered paradise without experiencing this life and growing up to know my
Lord."
154-
'Ali bin al-Hussain
narrated that his grandfather 'Ali, God be pleased with both of them, said:
"Among people, the most true in their advice, and the unsurpassed in their
knowledge of who is God, are those who have the most love and reverence for the
people of Là ilâha il Allah (Surely there is no god other than
Allah)."
155-
Yahya Ibn Abi Kathir
narrated that the companions once asked 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "Should
we guard you?" He replied: "One is best guarded by his own
destiny."
His Allegories
& Symbolism
The sayings of 'Ali, God
bless his countenance, were quoted by his immediate companions, although later
on, and after his passing, many more sayings surfaced, some of which may be
regarded as apocryphal. However, the selected accounts compiled in this book
are held as authentic, and the original manuscript of Imam al-Asfahâni, Hilyat'ul
Awliya Wa Tabaqât'ul Asfiyâ, among other sources, tally the chain of their
narrators:
156-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, said: "True blessings are
not children or wealth, rather they are knowledge, forbearance and an ever
increasing devotion to one's Lord. When you do good, praise God Almighty, and
when you fail, then ask for His forgiveness. Surely there are no benefits in
this world except for two types of people, 1) Someone who commits a wrongdoing
then amends it with repentance; and 2) someone who hastens to do good while he
does not neglect to perform his required religious duties, hence, how can his
deeds then diminish when goodness is blessed."
157-
'Akrama bin Khalid
narrated that 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib, God bless his countenance, once said:
"Learn five things from me, — although, even if you were to ride on the
speediest racing camels to attain them, your camels will fall exhausted before
you can ever arrive at fully accomplishing them; 1) Let a servant implore no
one beside his Lord; 2) let a servant fear nothing greater than the
consequences of his own sin; 3) let an unlearned person not shy to inquire
about what he does not understand; and finally, 4) let no scholar, when asked
about something he does not know, shy to say, 'I do not know the answer to that
question, surely Allah knows best.' You also must know that patience to one's
faith is like the head in relationship to one's body."
158-
Muhâjir bin 'Àmir
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, said: "Attachment to
obeying one's passions and cravings, and overextending one's hope are what I
fear most. As for the disadvantages of attachment to obeying one's passions and
cravings, they prevent the servant from recognizing his Lord, on the other
hand, overextending one's hope makes one oblivious of the hereafter. Surely the
world is set and ready for departure, and most certainly the hereafter is set
and ready to come. Each one of them has children, therefore, strive to be the
children of the hereafter and not the children of this world. Today you are
required to do deeds where reckoning is deferred, and tomorrow you will face
reckoning where the reward for deeds mirrors the past."
159-
Al-Hassan son of 'Ali,
God be pleased with them both, narrated that his father said: "Blessed is
the unknown and despised worshipper who knows and understands the people. The
people give no regards to him, nor do they recognize him, and yet, he knows
Allah through His divine benevolence and blessings. Such are the beacons of
guidance. God Almighty will safeguard them from every gloomy ordeal in this
world, and later on, in the hereafter, He will encompass them with His divine
mercy. Such blessed ones do not spread hearsay, and they are neither
ostentatious nor hollow."
160-
'Âsim bin Dhumra narrated
that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, said: "A true gnostic is one who
does not let people despair of God's mercy, and he does not license or make it
easy for them to do wrong. A scholar is one who does not forsake the Qur'an by
craving other readings, besides that, there are no benefits in an act of
worship which is void of knowledge, nor are there benefits in knowledge without
understanding, and surely there are no benefits in reading without
inference."
161-
'Amru bnu Murra narrated
that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, once said: "Be the fountainhead of
knowledge and the candlelight of the night, and even if you were raggedly
clothed, always have renewed hearts. This will make you distinguished in the
heavens, and you will always be remembered on earth."
162-
Bakr bin Khalifa narrated
that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, once said: "O ye people, I swear by God
Almighty, that even if you were to crave the yearnings of the grief-stricken
despondents, of pray constantly like cooing pigeons, or feel upset and cry out
like a discontented monk who feels forgotten and unlucky despite his constant
prayers, or even if you were to offer God Almighty all your wealth and children
in charity, soliciting His nearness, hoping to rise in station, or to have a
sin recorded by His lofty angels to be erased, all of that will be little of
the blessings I would have wished for you. Instead, be more fearful of His
painful chastisements for the sinners. I swear by God Almighty, and in His Name
I swear and I swear, that even if your eyes were to melt down from crying in
fear of Him and in yearning for Him, and even if you were to live in this world
as long as it will last, making constant offerings combined with every type of
worship in thankfulness towards His magnificent and countless blessings upon
you, it would not be sufficient as a demonstration of gratitude for His guiding
you to Islam, and regardless of whether you merit such a blessing or not. In
fact, on their own merit, there is no way that any of your deeds can constitute
a sufficient ground to receive the magnificent reward of His paradise, although
it will be through His divine mercy and compassion that ye will finally be
encompassed, and to His paradise will the righteous ones among you be led. May
Allah grant us and you to be among the true penitents, and to be gathered on the Day of Reckoning among His true and righteous
worshipers."
163-
Ja'far narrated that
after a funeral prayer in which 'Ali, God bless his countenance, officiated,
and when the procession reached the grave site, 'Ali, descended the grave along
with a helper, and upon laying the deceased in his sepulcher (Arb. lahd),
his family broke out in mourning. Hearing that, 'Ali turned to his companion
and he soberly commented: "Why are they crying thus? I swear by God
Almighty, that if they were to taste what their deceased person is experiencing
right now, their cognizance will lead them to forget about their departed
companion, and they will surely think about nothing but their own individual
conclusion in this world. Nevertheless, they will certainly come back to this
cemetery, time after time, and until none of them is left in this world."
After the burial, 'Ali,
God bless his countenance, stood up and delivered a short sermon, wherein he
said: "O servants of Allah, I admonish you to persevere in piety before
the Lord of majesty and glory, Who teaches you through parables, and Who has
fixed your life-term in this world. He gave you ears to listen with and brains
to perceive the meaning of what you hear, and He gave you eyes through which
you must see, and consequently, wash off any stupor. He gave you hearts that understand
fate, and He gave you a form and existence. Surely Almighty Allah did not
create you in vain, nor did He deprive you of hearing His admonitions and
revelations. Instead, He blessed you with countless favors, bestowed generous
benedictions upon you, provided for you all what you need in this life, and He
promised you every exalted reward for every moment of elation or adversity you
experience in this world. Therefore, O dependents of Allah, strive hard, and
further your pursuit of good deeds as long as the opportunity of this life is
present. Do as much as you can, before the destroyer of pleasures in this world
arrives. Surely, the comfort of this life will not last, and no one is secure
from its bereavements. This world is the ground of a dying arrogance, and a
disappearing shadow, and it is a mutable stand which yields pride at first, and
then it lies down motionless to be carried on its back for its burial in its
own grave. The price of what it desires is surely exuberant, and its pretension
of humility is most deceiving. O servants of God Almighty, hearken to these
allegories, and heed the signs and the traces left for you to ponder upon.
Repel potential calamities with votive offerings, and try to benefit from the
admonitions of human's past history. In reality, it seems as though the claws
of death have gotten hold of you, and that a house of dirt is dug for you, and
it looks as though the trumpet of the Resurrection has interrupted your worldly
pursuit, followed by the scattering of the graves, the exposure of cadavers,
the resurrection of the dead who will then be driven to the land of the great
gathering, and where they will stand up for as long as Allah wills, and await
their final reckoning. All these events are controlled solely by the divine
power of the magnificent Lord. Each soul is driven to its destined location by
its own guide. Each soul is accompanied with its witnessing angels who will
testify to its deeds, and then, thereat, 4 The earth will resplend with the
glorious light of its Lord, the book of records will lay open, the prophets and
the witnesses will be brought forward; and all shall be judged by the divine
and just criterion, and they will not be treated unjustly. > (Qur'an
39:69)"
"On that day, all
the cities will be rent asunder, and the harbinger will call, for it is the
convened promised day for the grand gathering. On that day, the shin shall be
laid barren, the sun will be eclipsed, the beasts grouped, the gathering land
laid flat, the secrets exposed, the evil ones destroyed, the hearts shaken, and
the dwellers of hell-fire will receive a most humiliating blow, and a most
painful and lasting punishment for their sins. Hell will be brought forth, and
along with it will come its dog and tumult, uproar and thunder, rage and sanctions.
Its fire will be blazed, its waters boiling, and its poisons biting. Its
eternally doomed dwellers never die, their sorrows and pain do not end, and
their shackles and fetters do not brake. Next to them will also stand angels
who will announce to them the coming 4 Entertainment of a scalding water, and
an ever burning in hell-fire. > (Qur'an 56:93-94) i On that Day (of
Resurrection), they shall be veiled from the Light of their Lord. > (Qur'an
83:15). They will be set apart from His blessed ones and His deputies, and
they will be bound to hell. O servants of God Almighty! Fear your Lord with the
piety of the one who understands the truth and humbles himself before his Lord.
Fear Him with the piety of the one who is terrified by the possibility of meeting
such consequences, and who struggles to escape from any such associations that
could drive him to be in such company. Fear your Lord with the piety of one who
has seen with his own eyes what has just been described, and the one who holds
back himself at once to protect it against such dreadful fall. By pondering
such a sight, he is prompted to speed up his efforts, to accelerate his steps,
and to escape from such potential horrific end. Instead, he chooses to counter
it with heeding God's admonition, carrying worthy deeds, and sufficient is God
for a reward. Allah is indeed the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing Lord, and
sufficient is one's own records as a challenger of arrogance, and a proof
guilt. Sufficient is the heavenly paradise as a reward for the believers, and
hell as a curse and as an eternal punishment for the unbelievers. In
conclusion, I pray to Almighty Allah to forgive me and to forgive all of
you."
His Advice to
Kamïl Bin Ziyàd
164-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Jandab
narrated that Kamil bin Ziyad told him: " 'Ali held my hand once, and he
walked with me in the direction of the cemetery. When we reached the open
desert, he soughed a deep breath before he said to me, 'O Kamil son of Ziyad,
hearts are like vessels, the best are exceptionally conscious and vast. Learn
from what I am going to tell you. There are three types of people: (1) A godly
scholar, (2) a student who is seeking salvation, and (3) a ferocious follower
of every howler and his own type. The third type of people are biased, and they
float with the currents. They neither seek enlightenment through knowledge, nor
do they take refuge in a safe recess during a storm. You must understand that
knowledge is better than money, for knowledge will guard you, while you have to
be the guard of your money. Deeds are more exalted than knowledge, while money
needs someone to spent it justly in order to render it pure. To love a man of
knowledge and to learn at his hand is a debt one can never repay. Knowledge earns
its owner respect during his lifetime and praiseworthy remembrance after his
death, while what money can do expires once it is spent. The keeper of a safe
dies and what he guards and the treasures remain, however, a men of knowledge
lives throughout the ages.
Their distinct form may
no longer be seen, but their findings are preserved in people's hearts.
Although knowledge is preserved in the hearts, yet, if it is acted upon, it
will carry its bearer, otherwise when merely memorized, knowledge remains vulnerable.
A person may use his religious knowledge for worldly gains. He may add his
personal commentaries regarding God's revelations to gain status in this world,
and he may use God's favors upon him to take advantage of His creation. He
alleges to hold fast to the path of the righteous ones, although his
superfluousness shows that he has no insight. Whenever he faces a question he
does not recognize its answer, doubt and suspicion quickly overtake him. He
indulges in mundane pleasures, he is easily driven and allured to satisfy his
passion and lust, he is deceived by hoarding money, and he is not a caller to
God. The closest similitude to such a character is a freely grazing cattle.
Like that, knowledge dies away when its carrier dies."
"However, the earth
will never remain devoid of someone who carries the proof of God's sovereignty,
and the testimony of His messenger otherwise, God's revelations and clear signs
will be abrogated. Such true human beings are the rare few, although they are
the most exalted in God's sight. Through them, Almighty Allah guards His
message, and He will not take them back unto Himself until they have delivered
the same to their coequals. These people endeavor to plant such seeds in hearts
akin to their own. Hence, knowledge gushes forth from their hearts, and they
take from it the terrain the opulent ones judge as rugged and what the ignorant
ones deem as reprehensible. In fact, God's people live in this world with
bodies who's souls are captivated by the Upper Observer of all. Such are God's
vice-regents on earth, and such are the callers to His religion. Ah, ah! I
yearn to meet them, and I ask for God's forgiveness for me and for you. Now if
you wish we may go back."
His Asceticism and
Devotion
'Ali, God bless his
countenance, accepted the little in this world, and he renounced most of what
the world can offer. When possible, and outside his public duties, 'Ali was
reclusive, ponderous, and he mostly spent his personal time in offering
supererogatory devotion to his Lord. He solicited delight in other than
treasuring this world, and in order for him to rise to his ultimate goal.
165-
On this subject, Ahmad
Ibn Hanbal narrated that 'Ali bin Rabï'a al-Walibi reported that one day Ibn
al-Nabbâj came and said to 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "O Amir
al-Mu'mineen (Prince of the believers), the Treasury House of the Muslims
is filled to capacity with every kind of yellow and white." Hearing that,
'Ali exclaimed: "Allahu Akbar (Surely Allah is the greatest),"
and he walked out of his house leaning on Ibn al-Nabbâj until they reached the
Treasury House. 'Ali then called for the people of the city of Küfa to come,
and he kept on handing out everything therein until not a single Dinar or
Dirham remained, while saying: "O yellow, O white, go and deceive someone
else."
Once the Treasury House
was empty, he ordered it to be washed, and he performed his prayers therein
before he returned to his house.
166-
Abu Hayyân al-Teemi
narrated that from time to time, 'Ali, God bless his countenance, used to personally
sweep and wash the floors of the Treasury House, and that he often used it as a
prayer ground, in the hope that it will testify in his favor on the Day of
Judgment.
167-
Abu Bakr bin Khalâd
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, once during a sermon said:
"I swear by Allah, Whom there is no god except He, that I have deprived
myself from everything you collect except this..." 'Ali then pulled out
from under his sleeves a small empty glass bottle and added: "My companion
Dahqân gave it to me as a gift."
168-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that someone brought 'Ali, God bless his
countenance, a plate of sweet made of flour and honey, called fâlüthaj,
and the man placed it before 'Ali on the floor. 'Ali looked at it, and he spoke
to the sweet, saying: "Surely your smell is most appetizing, your color is
appealing, and certainly you are tasty, but I hate to retrain my nature (nafs)
to eat something I have not taught it before," and 'Ali did not eat
from it.
169-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that 'Ali once brought a dish of jellylike mixed
food, and he placed it before his guests who happily ate from it. 'Ali then
commented: "Surely Islam is not a strayed youth, but the people of Quraish
saw this much amenity, and they fought against one another to keep it."
170-
Al-Hussain bin 'Ali
narrated that his father, may Allah be pleased with both of them, said:
"The most difficult things for a man to do are three, 1) To pay what he
owes willingly; 2) to remember Allah under all circumstances; and 3), to help
his brother when he needs money."
171-
Ahmad bin Ja'far
narrated, re Hâroon bin 'Antara, that his father 'Antara said: "I once
visited 'Ali bin Abi Talib at Khawranq, and he was shivering from the winter
cold, wrapped to warm himself up under a piece of a worn out rag, and I said to
him, 'O Prince and Commander of the believers, surely Allah has made an
allowance for you and for your family from the revenues of the Treasury House,
and here I see you doing this to yourself!' 'Ali replied, 'Let Allah be my
witness that I did not deprive of any of your properties. This is my own velvet
shawl which I brought with me when I left Madina!' "
172-
Zaid bin Wahab narrated
that a delegation from the City of Basra once visited 'Ali, and among them came
a man from the dissenters (khawarij) called al-Ja'ad bin Na'jah who
reproached 'Ali for the way he dresses. 'Ali replied, 'What business do you
have to do with my personal clothing. Surely my garb is far from pretension or
haughtiness, and it is surely better for any Muslim to follow my
example.'"
173-
'Amru bnu Qays narrated
that someone asked 'Ali, God bless his countenance: "What do you use to
patch your shirt?" He replied: "I patch it with piety, and a true
believer will surely follow such example."
174-
Muhammad bin Ka'ab
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, said: "During the time of
God's messenger I used to tie a small rock around my stomach to control my
hunger, and today, by contrast, my charity amounts to Forty-Thousand Dinar per
year.
IV
Virtues of
The Blessed Companions
Those who developed such
virtues and attained such stations were innately inclined to seeking the depth
of every matter. Their faith was strong, their words were decisive, their
verdicts were just, their hearts overflowed with knowledge, and wisdom
permeated their soul as well as every cell of their body. Comfort in this world
bewildered them, and the silence and stillness of the night attracted them to
pursue and intensify their devotion. They were close to the people, they loved the
meek, they were expeditious in satisfying his needs, and they were well
respected in the community. The weak people never despaired of their justice,
and the strong ones always carefully considered and respected their
righteousness. Little did they smile, and yet, their faces were ever glowing
like a radiant full moon. They sought unity among the believers, and they
showed true understanding and extreme compassion towards others.
The blessed companions of
God's messenger were gifted with understanding, wisdom and inner knowledge.
Often, their lips were dry. They discarded the comfort of this world, and
forsook the company of its advocates, and they mostly rested over their own
forearms. They labored hard and renounced most of the so- called worldly pleasures,
and in fact, they truly emulated the lives of God's prophets and messengers,
their deputies and the blessed ones who abide in the safety and nearness of
their Lord. Furthermore, the blessed companions of God's messenger Si, upon
whom be peace, gave away everything they had, and the material wealth was the
cheapest offering they happily distributed to comfort the need of others. To
their wisdom and perception, material comfort was a burden that they had to
constantly unload. The journey of this life bewildered them, and their grief
was incessant, just like that of a bereaved mother whose child was slaughtered
in her own lap, her tears never cease to flow, and her crying for God's mercy
and compassion is constant. Seldom did they sleep, and so little did they eat.
Among such example we
find Talha bin 'Ubaidullâh, may God bless his soul and be eternally pleased
with him. He was generous, magnanimous, and a radiant star among the blessed
companions who distanced themselves from personal satisfaction with their own
deeds, and thus lightened their burdens.
175-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated that 'Aisha, God be pleased with her, used to say: "Whenever the
day of the Battle of Mount Uhud was mentioned, Abu Bakr referred to it as 'The
day of Talha bin 'Ubaid-Allah'."
176-
Abu Bakr, God be pleased
with him, once said: "On the day of Uhud, Abi 'Ubaida al-Jarrah and myself
took shelter in the shade near God's messenger who turned to us and said:
'Hasten to your friend!' He meant Talha bin 'Ubaid-Allah, who was bleeding
profusely, but we first took care of God's messenger's condition, and then we
sought Talha who was lying wounded in one of the groves. When we found him, he
had sustained near seventy wounds and blows, and he had lost his fingers during
the battle, hence, we attended to him and nursed him the best we could."
"After the battle,
when God's messenger & returned to Madina, he stood upon the pulpit,
praised God Almighty and thanked Him for His countless blessings, and he then
recited: 4 Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant
with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vows, while others await their end,
yielding to no changes. > (Qur'an 33:23) Someone stood up and said,
'O Messenger of Allah, who are such people?'"
Abu Bakr continued:
"At that moment, Talha had just arrived to the mosque, and he was wearing
a green robe under a green cloak, when God's messenger saw him, he said, 'O
questioner, here is one of them.' "
177-
Muhammad bin 'Imran
narrated that Sa'dah, daughter of 'Awf, and the wife of Talha, said: "In
one day, Talha distributed one hundred thousand Dirham in charity. Some money
was still left in the house, so I tied it up in his robe, and he carried it to
the mosque where he distributed it in charity."
178-
Al-Hassan, God be pleased
with him, narrated that Talha once sold a piece of land he owned for seven
hundred thousand Dirham. Talha kept the money in his house for a long sleepless
night, and at sunrise, he distributed everything in charity."
The peer and companion of
Talha bin 'Ubaid-Allah was al- Zubair bin al-'Awwâm, God be pleased with both
of them. Beside his spiritual distinctions, al-Zubair was a stern challenger,
as well as resolute and prudent warrior, however, he was submissive to his
Master, and he was totally dependent on Him. Al-Zubair was loyal, steadfast,
oft-forgiving, generous, and he was his earnest possible. At the age of
sixteen, when he embraced Islam, his uncle used to tie him up to a metal pole
and kindle a fire around him, nearly suffocating him with its smoke, and his
uncle used to scream at him: "Renounce your faith," and al-Zubair
would keep on avowing: "I will never ever go back to denying the
truth."
179-
'Ali bin Zaid reported
that those who were close to al- Zubair narrated that his chest was filled with
open cuts that looked like open eyes from wounds he sustained while defending
God's messenger The poet Hassan bin Thâbit once lauded al-Zubair bin al-'Awwâm,
saying: "He unsheathed his sword during scores of stressful moments to
defend God's chosen Messenger, and God surely gives His munificent blessings to
whomever He wills. In his time, no one matched his courage, nor before that did
anyone meet his caliber. Moreover, time will pass and no one can come even near
his uprightness. To praise you, O lion of the jungle, is surely better than
many immaculate deeds, and yet, O son of al-Hashimiyya, your actions are a much
greater deed. "
180-
Al-Walïd bin Muslim
narrated that Sa'id bin 'Abdul 'Aziz said: "At one time, al-Zubair bin
al-'Awwâm was extremely rich, and he had one thousand servants who collected
his daily revenues from a variety of businesses and properties he owned. Each
night he divided the entire income they brought him, and he distribute the same
in full before he entered his house."
181-
The same was confirmed in
the narration of Mughïth bin Sama, who said: "Al-'Awwâm had one thousand
workers who collected his land revenues, and not a Dirham (i.e., a dime) of
that money ever entered his house."
182-
Abi Salma narrated that
upon the revelation of the Qur'anic verse: < Then, on the Day of
Resurrection, you will settle your disputes in the presence of your Lord, > (Qur’an
39:31) al-Zubair asked: "O Messenger of Allah, will we have to face
each others again and reenact the arguments we had in this world?" God's
messenger
replied: "Indeed you
will surely do that." Al-Zubair pondered for a moment and then said:
"I swear by Almighty Allah that this is a most serious matter."
183-
'Abdullah bin Al-Zubair
also narrated that on the day of the Battle of the Camel, his father al-Zubair
instructed him concerning his debts, and he added: "My dear son, when
sometimes you find it difficult to manage, then call for the help of my
Master."
'Abdullah added: "I
did not understand what he meant by 'My Master' until I once asked him,
'Father! Who is your master?' He replied, 'Allah.' Later on, 'Abdullah said,
'By God, whenever I felt any anxiety about his business, I prayed, 'O Master of
al-Zubair, satisfy his debt,' and surely Allah fulfilled his wish."
184-
Hishâm bin 'Urwa
narrated, that upon his martyrdom, al-Zubair bin al-'Awwâm did not leave a
single Dinar or Dirham in cash, except for two estates and some houses he
owned. He incurred his debts from his practice of not accepting to keep
anything on consignment, for during the pilgrimage season, and whenever a
traveling merchant brought him his remaining goods to sell for him and to keep
the money until the next season, al-Zubair bin al- 'Awwâm would reply: "I
do not accept anything on consignment, but I will take the goods as a loan, for
I fear to mix them with other merchandise."
Later on, after he died,
and when his son counted his debts, they added up to two million. To satisfy
his father's debts, 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair used to attend the pilgrimage
season annually, and he called the pilgrims to come forward to claim the monies
they loaned to his father. 'Abdullah did that for four consecutive years and
until everything was repaid. Only after the four years passed that 'Abdullah divided
the remaining balance between the heirs. Al-Zubair had four wives, and each one
of them inherited one million and two hundred thousand Dirhams.
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss
also was among the early believers since the dawn of Islam in Mecca. He
defended God's messenger S, and he suffered persecution and hardships at the
hand of the unbelievers, and then he became segregated from his family and
tribe. Sa'ad relinquished all comforts and wealth to earn God's pleasure and
blessings in the company of His Messenger Sa'ad's particular blessing was that
no matter what he prayed for, his prayer received a favorable answer from God
Almighty. Sa'ad also was tried with the office of leadership, and he proved to
be a great leader. God Almighty opened vast lands and spread His message at his
hands, and He granted him a blessed progeny. At the later stage of his life,
Sa'ad, God be pleased with him, renounced his worldly status, and he sought
seclusion from his worldly responsibilities and their associated trials to
satisfy his spiritual quest and to redeem the balance of his life. Sa'ad became
a model of piety and particularly after the countless permutations he survived,
and he became a pillar of faith, and a proof of wisdom and knowledge.
185-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib
narrated that Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss once said: ''When I became Muslim, no one
else besides me embraced God's religion on that day. Hence, and for the
following seven days, I counted as one third of the congregating new
believers."
186-
Qayss bin Abi Hâzim
narrated that Sa'ad said: "At one time, we were with God's messenger in
isolation in the outskirts (Hirâb) of Mecca, and as a result of the
prohibition of commerce imposed against us by the tribe of Quraish, we had
nothing to eat but the leaves of shrubs and wild plants, and our women gave
birth in the open like a ewe."
187-
Qayss bin Abi Hâzim also
narrated that Sa'ad said: "God's messenger prayed for me and said, 'Lord,
make his arrows hit their target, and fulfill his prayers.' "
188-
Mus'ab son of Sa'ad told
of his father's narration that during the early years of hardships in Mecca and
the persecution of Muslims, God's messenger once said: "Today, we are
experiencing the easy trials, and I am more concerned for you about the
adversities that will come. Should you have to face them, endure that with
patience and perseverance, for comfort in this world appears sweet and
tempting."
According to Islamic law,
one is only permitted to will up to one third of his property, the balance is
divided according to the divine decree, which is detailed in the holy Qur'an.
189-
On this subject, Imam
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God bless his soul, narrated, re Sa'ad, that his father, Abi
Waqqâss, was in Mecca when he fell ill. At that time he only had one daughter.
When God's messenger visited him, he asked him: "O Messenger of Allah,
should I will everything I have to her?" God's messenger replied:
"Nay! Only the third, and even that is too much. Perhaps God will grant
you recovery, and you will live, whereby, through you, He will bring forth a
progeny that will benefit some people and afflict others with trials."
190-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated, re Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss, re his father, that God's messenger said:
"Allah loves a servant who is free from want, who is discreet and pious,
and whose wealth comes from his satisfaction with what he has."
191 - Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that someone said to Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss, God be pleased with him:
"Why don't you fight the dissenters, for surely you are a man of council (ahlu
shura), and you have more rights to speak than others." Sa'ad replied:
"Bring me a sword that has two eyes, a tongue, and a pair of lips, and
that can discern between a believer and a disbeliever, and only then I will
enter this battle, for I have endured real jihad, and I surely know what
it means in a true sense."
192-
Tariq bin Shahâb narrated
that a difference in opinion once took place between Khâlid bin al-Walid and
Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss, God be pleased with both of them. Someone tried to take
advantage of the situation, and he went to Sa'ad to report what Khâlid said,
but Sa'ad stopped him, saying: "Say nothing, for what is between me and my
brother does not affect our unity and religious brotherhood, and it has no
bearing on the truth of our religion."
As for Sa'ïd bin Zaid bin
'Amru bnu Nafll, he also was one of the blessed companions who spoke the truth,
who spent his wealth on God's path, controlled his passions, and who restrained
his want. He feared no censure or reproach when it came to God's rights. His
prayers were answered, and he embraced Islam prior to Omar bin al-Khattâb, God
be pleased with them both. Sa'ïd bin Zaid had no inclinations for leadership,
and instead he engaged in serving the community. He tamed his mind, and he kept
away from personal conflicts and competition.
193-
Rabâh bin al-Hârith
narrated, re Sa'ïd bin Zaid, that God's messenger $ named ten of his companions
who were given the glad tidings of paradise in the hereafter during their
lifetime in this world, and the list included: Abu Bakr, Omar, 'Uthmân, 'Ali,
Talha, al-Zubair, Sa'ad bin Malik, and Sa'ïd bin Zaid.
194-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated Arwa, daughter of Uways once accused Sa'ïd bin Zaid of annexing a
piece of her land. When Mawrân bin al-Hakam brought the subject before Sa'ïd,
he replied: "I would never annex even a span of land from someone else
since I heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say, 'Whosoever annexes even
a span of someone else's property, he will be confined into the abyss of the
seven layers of the two earths.' "
195-
Also in reference to the
above subject, Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan narrated that in his reply to Marwân, Sa'ïd
bin Ziyâd also lifted his hand up and prayed: "O my Lord, this woman has
falsely accused me of being unjust to her, and that I have stolen a piece of
her land. So, if she is lying, then blind her, and throw her in a deep well; my
Lord, and exonerate my name with a miraculous light of Yours that will show the
Muslims that I was never unjust to her."
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
continued: " 'Amru bnu Hazm narrated that immediately upon completing his
prayer, a tumultuous rainstorm with thunder and lightening that has never been
seen before took place, and the valley of 'Aqïq became flooded. By the end of
the day, the water receded again, and the people saw the line of Sa'ïd's
property which was clearly marked, and thus, Sa'ïd was vindicated. A month
later, the woman, Arwa, daughter of Uways became blind, and one day, while
strolling through her farmland, she fell into a well where she died."
'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf was
a most trustworthy, wealthy and a generous companion. He spent his wealth on
God's path in gratitude for His countless favors and blessings. 'Abdu-Rahmân
bin 'Awf constantly sought God's guidance and help against temptation or any
sense self-righteousness. He was most sensitive and lachrymose, and he shed his
tears easily in reverence and fear of his Lord. 'Abdu-Rahmân was a model of how
a rich Muslim should conduct his life, and he had a soft and a most
compassionate heart towards the poor and needy.
196-
Anas bin Mâlik narrated
that 'Aisha, God be forever pleased with her, was at home when she heard a
constant tumultuous blasting sound, the whole city of Madina shook from its
intensity. 'Aisha, the mother of the believers, God be pleased with her, then
had partially lost her sight to cataract, and when she inquired about the sound
she heard, she was told that a large herd of seven hundred camels loaded with
goods belonging to 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf had just arrived from Syria. 'Aisha
quietly commented: "Indeed, I heard God's messenger ¿fc say, 'I saw
'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf entering paradise crawling on his knees and elbows.'
"
Later on, when her
comments reached 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf, and before he entered his house, he
hasten to her house inquiring, and when she confirmed the prophetic saying.
'Abdu-Rahmân immediately avouched: "I call upon you to witness that from
this moment on, this entire caravan and all the goods it carries are an
offering for God's pleasure, and they belong to the-treasury of Muslims to
distribute them to the poor and needy."
197-
Al-Musawwar bin Makhrama
narrated that 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf owned a piece of land he had bought from
'Uthmân, and he sold it for forty-thousand Dinar, and then, he divided its
entire revenues between the tribe of Bani Zahra, the_needy people of Madina,
and the mothers of the believers. Al-Musawwar added: "I personally carried
'Aisha's share to her, and she commented: 'I once heard God's messenger say,
'Only the righteous people (saliheen) will show compassion on you after
me.' "
198-
'Abdullah bnu Abi 'Awfa
narrated that God's messenger once called for 'Abdu-Rahmàn bin 'Awf who had
arrived late,
and God's messenger ££
asked him: "What delayed you?" He replied: "Taking care of my
accounts held me back, for I do have a large business. I have one hundred
camels that has just arrived from Egypt, and I hereby offer them with all the
goods they carry in charity for the widows of Madina."
199-
Also on this subject,
Ibrâhîm, son of 'Abdu-Rahmàn bin 'Awf narrated that God's messenger ££ once
said to his father 'Abdu- Rahmàn: "O son of 'Awf, you are one of the
richest people of this town, and being thus rich, I think that you can only
enter paradise crawling on your elbows and knees, so lend Allah a good loan so
that He may unbind your feet." Ibn 'Awf replied: "What should I lend
Allah?" God's messenger & replied: "Exonerate yourself in the
evening from what you have achieved during the day." Ibn 'Awf replied:
"Would distributing something every night purify my earnings?:" He
replied: "Indeed." Immediately Ibn 'Awf hastened to do so. The
archangel Gabriel, upon whom peace, soon descended upon God's messenger and
said: "Order Ibn 'Awf to open his house for guests, to regularly feed the
hungry and the needy, and to financially help people when they seek him. If he
does so, this will be atonement for his concerns."
200-
Nawfal bin lyâs al-Hathli
narrated that 'Abdu-Rahmàn bin 'Awf used to frequent his circle. One day, after
sitting with him and with his guests for a while, 'Abdu-Rahmàn excused himself
for a short while, he went to his house, took his ablution and when he
returned, he brought back with him a large tray of bread and meat. When the
tray was placed in the middle, 'Abdu-Rahmàn cried in great chagrin, so the
people asked him: "O Abu Muhammad, why are you crying like this?" He
replied: "A thought came to me, and I suddenly remembered that God's messenger
Sè died having not satisfied his basic hunger or that of his family, not even
in eating just barley bread, and I do not think that God Almighty has kept us
alive after him for better times than the days of His messenger
201-
Also on this subject,
Shu'ba narrated that a group of companions once sat to partake a meal, and
'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf was in their midst but he did not eat, so the people
assumed that he was fasting for that day. 'Abdu-Rahmân then commented:
"When Hamza was killed, we did not have a piece of cloth to shroud him,
and he is better than me. Also, when Mus'ab bin 'Umair was killed, we did not
have a piece of cloth to shroud him, and he is better than me, and here we are
enjoying the comfort and delight of this world. I am afraid that perhaps our
share in the hereafter is instead given to us in this world." Shu'ba
added: "I am not sure whether 'Abdu-Rahmân ate with us on that day or
not."
202-
Al-Hadhrami narrated that
someone once read from the Qur'an before God's messenger during an assembly,
and his reading touched everyone's heart. On that day, everyone's eyes were
overflowing with tears except 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf, and God's messenger
commented: " 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf's eyes were not overflowing with tears,
but his heart did."
203-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that 'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf, God be pleased with him, said: "When
we were tried with adversities, we endured that with patience, but when we were
tried with comfort, we surely failed to exercise patience."
Among the blessed
companions also rises the star of the trustworthy and righteous, the tributary
and humble servant and ascetic, the loyal and faithful to his trust, Abu
'Ubaida bin al-Jarrâh, God be pleased with him. He limited his needs to little,
and he was patient until the time when he met his Lord, and when he began the
second and final segment of his journey.
It was in reference to
Abu 'Ubaida bin al-Jarrâh, God be pleased with him, that God Almighty spoke to
His blessed messenger revealing: < Thou will not find among the people who
believe in Allah and in the Last Day, someone who loves those who resist Allah
and His apostle, and even if they were their fathers, their sons, their
brothers, or their nearest kindred. Allah has inscribed faith in their hearts,
and He strengthened them with a spirit of His own. He will admit them to
gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will dwell for ever. Allah will
be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allah.
Truly it is the party of Allah that will achieve (true) felicity. > (Qur'an
58:22)
204-
Omar bin al-Khattâb, May
God be pleased with him forever, narrated that God's messenger 4$ said:
"Every nation (umma) has a loyal trustee, and Abu 'Ubaida bin
al-Jarrâh is the trustee of this nation."
205-
Mu'ammar narrated that
when Omar bin al-Khattâb arrived to Syria, the masses welcomed him along with
some of the. most distinguished people of the land. Omar looked around him in
surprise, and he asked: "Where is my brother?" They replied:
"Who do you mean?" Omar said: "I mean Abu 'Ubaida." They
replied: "He will come before you immediately." When Abu 'Ubaida
arrived, Omar descended his ride and embraced him, and he went with him to his
house. Upon entering, Omar noticed that Abu 'Abaida's modest house only had his
sword, a shield, a lance and a horse saddle."
206-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Omar bin al-Khattâb was sitting with a group of his companions and he
asked: "Let each one make a wish!" Someone said: "I wish if this
house was filled with gold and which I would happily spend it on God's
path." Omar asked the people again: "Make a wish!" Someone else
said: "I wish that this house was filled with pearls, chrysolites, and
with every kind of precious gems that I would most happily spend in charity on
God's path." Omar asked again: "Make a wish!" They replied:
"O Prince of the Believers, we truly do not know what to wish for!"
Omar then said: "I wish that this house was filled with men like Abu
'Ubaida bin al-Jarrah."
207-
'Imrân bin Mujammar
narrated that Abu 'Ubaida bin al- Jarrah once lead a campaign, and he addressed
the soldiers saying: "Perhaps there is a man among you who washes his
clothes clean, and who sullys his religion, or someone who exalts himself when
in fact he is disgracing it. Ward off your old sins by replacing them with new
worthy deeds. Should one's sins fill between the heavens and the earth, and
should he then do even one worthy deed, his single good deed will surely
prevail over them and until it abolishes all of them."
208-
Khalid bin Ma'dân
narrated that Abu 'Ubaida bin al-Jarrah once said: "The parable of a
believer's heart is like that of a bird, it alights and then soar again and
again so many times each day."
Among the early
companions and peers also glimmers the name of the ascetic, the humble and the
pious companion 'Uthmàn bin Maz'ün, God be pleased with him. He was among the
early followers of God's messenger áfc, and he migrated twice from his
homeland, — once to Abyssinia to escape the persecution of the tribe of
Quraish, and in the second time, he migrated to the blessed City of Light,
Madina, to join God's messenger ëfc and his blessed companions.
Ibn Maz'ün's rank was
most exalted and revered among the blessed companions of God's messenger He was
a tireless worshipper, and he was a blessed servant who was truly touched by
the love of God Almighty, and he devoted his entire life to please his Lord,
and to serve His will.
Ibn Maz'ün also was
grief-stricken, and he lost one of his eyes while defending Allah's Holy Name.
The comfort of this world could not distract his focus, and his Islam turned
into trials he had to endure for the sake of his Beloved. Hence, his comfort in
God's pleasure increased his longing for Him, and it opened his heart to
greater realities he cherished greatly.
During the pre-Islamic
era, the Arabs of Quraish enjoyed Abyssinia as their neighboring marketplace.
There, they sought their supplementary needs and found security and ample
supplies all year around. In the early days of the divine message, and for several
years thereafter, the believers were instructed to hold off their defenses.
When the persecution reached its peak and the physically weak ones could no
longer bear the atrocities inflicted upon them by the unbelievers of the Tribe
of Quraish, God's messenger ® instructed some of his followers to take
temporary shelter in the East African kingdom of Abyssinia. 'Uthmàn bin Maz'ün
was appointed then as their Amir (leader), and he remained with them
therein until Siira al-Najim was revealed. Later on, he returned to
Mecca, although he needed tribal protection which he received from one of his
uncles and neighbor in Mecca, al-Walid bin al-Mughïra.
209-
On this subject,
'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf narrated that when 'Uthmân bin Maz'iin reflected upon the
comfort and peace he was enjoying in the protection of his polytheist neighbor
al-Walid bin al-Mughïra, while the companions of God's messenger were suffering
the pounding of destiny at the hands of the unbelievers all over the Arabian
peninsula, and when he saw the persecution of Muslims intensify, he said to
himself: "By God, it makes me feel depressed to hold unto comfort and
illusionary tranquillity in the company and protection of a polytheist while my
companions and the people of the faith are suffering persecution and atrocities
at the hands of the disbelievers!"
Upon realizing that,
'Abdu-Rahmân bin 'Awf then went to al- Walïd bin al-Mughïra, his influential
uncle, and said to him: "O Aba 'Abd Shams,[IV]
your decency of a neighbor has come to its conclusion. I have decided to forgo
your protection." Al-Walïd replied: "O my dear nephew, why would you
want to do that? Perhaps someone among my people has offended you or grieved
you!" Ibn Maz'iin replied: "Nay, no one did, but I would rather seek
the protection of Almighty Allah, and I do not wish for anyone else's favor or
dominance." Al-Walïd answered: "Then lets go to the Ka'ba and give it
to me in public as I pledged my protection for you in public."
Thus, they both went to
the Ka'ba and al-Walïd announced: "Ibn Maz'iin has decided to waive away
my neighboring tribal protection." Ibn Maz'iin immediately stood and said:
"He spoke the truth, and I have found him loyal to his promise and a
generous neighbor. However, I have pledged to seek no protection besides that
of Almighty Allah, and that is why I decided to forgo al-Walid's
protection."
On his
way out of Mecca, and as 'Uthmân bin Maz'iin was leaving, there was a poet
called Lubaid bin Rabï'a al-Qaysi, who was sitting near God's House, the Ka'ba,
reciting his poetry before a group of fans from the Tribe of Quraish. Ibn
Maz'iin decided to sit down with them for a while, and to hear what Lubaid had
to say as he chanted:
Everything other than
Allah is false,
'Uthmân commented loudly:
"This is the truth."
The poet looked towards
Ibn Maz'iin in surprised, he pondered for a moment before he continued:
And every comfort will
unfailingly perish.
'Uthmân commented:
"What you said is not true, for the bliss and comfort of the heavenly
paradise is everlasting."
The pagan poet Lubaid became
extremely upset for the interruption of his recital, and he turned to the
people and said: "O ye people of Quraish, it was not common that your
guests be humiliated in your presence!" Someone in the crowd leaped out
and said: "Do not feel prejudiced with regards to what he said, for he is
only an impudent apostate who, with a group of a likewise people, have defected
the religion of our fathers for the sake of a newjane."
'Uthmân became distraught
by the comment and his reply to the man was evenly injurious. A fist fight then
started between the two men, and during that fight, 'Uthmân lost one of his
eyes. Al- Walid was close by, and as he witnessed what happened to 'Uthmân, he
approached him and commented: "O my nephew, by God, your eye did not need this
injury!" 'Uthmân replied: "Nay, O Aba 'Abd Shams! It is my other eye
that needs what happened to its sister eye in defending the truth. Now I do
stand right here in the neighboring divine protection of someone Who is
mightier than you!"
210-
Ibn Shahâb narrated that
God's messenger & was sitting with some companions when 'Uthmân entered the
Mosque wearing a torn rag he patched with a piece of a camel's hide. God's
messenger's heart felt for him, and the companions felt for the compassion of
God's messenger & who commented: "O ye people, what would you say when
a day comes, when you will wear a garment in the morning then put another one
in the evening, and when you will sit at tables offering you one variety of
food after another, and when you will decorate your homes like you adorn the
Ka'ba?" The people replied: "We certainly would like that O messenger
of Allah, so we can enjoy a comfortable life." He replied: "This will
take place, but you are better off today than those who will come after you and
live such a life."
211-
'Abd Rabbo bin Sa'ïd
al-Madani narrated that when 'Uthmân died, God's messenger entered his room,
kissed his forehead and said: "May God's mercy be upon you O 'Uthmân, you
have held true to your faith. You have taken nothing from this world, nor did
the world succeed at taking anything from you."
212-
Zaid bin Aslam reported
that when 'Uthmân bin Maz'ün was laid in his grave, his wife commented:
"Be blessed in God's paradise O Aba Sâ'ib!" God's messenger turned to
her and said: "How do you know that?" She replied: "O Messenger
of Allah, he fasted every day of his life, and he stood up all his nights in
prayers." God's messenger then commented: "It is more reverend and
felicitous if you had said that he truly loved Allah and His messenger."
He is Mus'ab bin 'Umair
of the Tribe of Bani Dâr. He was one of the ea~ly callers to God's path and a
pious believer. Mus'ab bin 'Umair God bt pleased with him, memorized the entire
holy Qur'an by heart, and he was sent by God's messenger to teach it to the
Muslim partisans (ansar) in Madina prior to God's messenger migrating to
it. Mus'ab renounced the comfort of this world, he lived a modest life, and he
found comfort and exhilaration in the meadows of the Holy Qur'an. Mus'ab bin
'Umair was known as the Qur'an reciter, and he won his martyrdom during the
Battle of Mount Uhud, near the City of Madina.
213-
'Urwa bin al-Zubair
narrated that when the Medinites heard the words of God's messenger upon whom
be peace, their hearts opened to Islam, and they hearkened to God's message,
Who entrenched acceptance, faith and certitude in their hearts, and He made
them the pioneers of His last message. The Medinites pledged to return the
following year to Mecca, during the pilgrimage season, to hear the divine
revelation, and to hearken to God's messenger teachings. After fulfilling their
pledge, when this group of early believers returned to Madina, they spoke of
their encounter with God's messenger and their people dispatched an emissary to
Mecca, requesting God's messenger to send them someone to instruct them in
their religion. God's messenger responded by sending Mus'ab bin 'Umair who
stayed in Madina at the house of As'ad bin Zirara, and later on, he moved to
become the guest of Sa'ad bin Mu'ath- People gathered regularly around Mus'ab
and they hearkened to his teachings and recitation of the Holy Qur'an until
nearly every house in Madina had someone who embraced Islam at his hand. Hence,
they proclaimed God's oneness, broke all status of deities their forefathers
worshipped, and they rebutted polytheism. Mus'ab, God be pleased with him,
played a major role in gathering the Muslims, instructing them, and in
organizing them as a community in Madina some years before the blessed
migration of God's messenger áfc and his arrival to Madina.
214-
'Ubaid bin 'Umair
narrated that when the Battle of Uhud ended, God's messenger passed by the body
of Mus'ab bin 'Umair and recited: 4 Among the believers are men who have been
true to their covenant with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vow, while others
are awaiting their end, yielding to no change. > (Qur'an 33:23) God's
messenger then turned toward the scattered bodies of the martyrs of Uhud and
said: "I bear witness that you are alive in the presence of Allah."
He then turned to his companions and said: "O ye people, visit them and
pay your regards of peace to them. I swear by Him Who governs my soul, that
whenever you greet them, they will reply to your greetings, and this will be
thus until the Day of Resurrection."
215-
Omar bin al-Khattab
narrated that God's messenger once saw Mus'ab bin 'Umair coming to the mosque
wearing a sheep skin, and God's messenger ££ commented: "Look at this man
whose heart God has enlightened. I saw him sitting before two compassionate
authors like parents, who were nourishing him with the best of food and drinks.
Surely his love for Almighty Allah and for His Messenger (££) have raised him
to what you see."
His mother, Umaimah bint
'Abdul-Muttalib, was the paternal aunt of God's messenger and his sister,
Zainab bint Jahsh, was the wife of God's messenger and the mother of the
believers. 'Abdullah bin Jahsh was the first companion behind whose leadership
the Muslims stood united, and he was among the early émigrés to Abyssinia. Later
on, he returned to the Arabian peninsula and fought in both the Battle of Badr
and that of Uhud. In his spiritual struggle, he used every permissible mean to
reach his exalted station, and he was a great sire among the believers.
It is said that
spirituality also means to love to die for the sake of one's beloved.
216-
On this subject, Hishâm
bin 'Urwa narrated that on their way to Madina, God's messenger and Abu Bakr
took temporary shelter for three nights in the cave of Hira’ in the
mountain of Thawr. A shepherd called 'Âmir bin Fahirah, who had secretly
embraced Islam, concealed knowledge of their whereabouts. Every morning, when
the Arab shepherds drove their flock to their grazing land, 'Âmir tarried in
their company, but in the evening, as the shepherds returned to their homes in
Mecca, 'Âmir, inconspicuously slowed down and went to the cave of Hira’
to attend to God's messenger áfc and Abu Bakr's needs. Later on, when God's
permission came for them to continue their journey, 'Âmir bin Fahirah was their
guide and companion in their migratory journey to Madina, which later on became
known as the City of God's messenger £& and as the City of Light.
'Âmir bin Fahïrah's faith
kept him strong, and his heart was free from jealousy or envy. His consciousness,
values, and moral standards were high, and his trueness to his Lord reserved
him a most exalted place in Allah's sight. He loved Allah and His Messenger
âfc, and he defended His message with his heart, soul, and body. 'Âmir bin
Fahirah willingly and with peerless courage drove into the most dangerous
adversities, and by God's leave, came out victorious.
217-
'Aisha, God be pleased
with her, the mother of the believers, narrated that "God's messenger Abu
Bakr and 'Âmir arrived together to Madina."
218-
Ka'ab bin Malik narrated
that God's messenger sent seventy of his best learned men and distinguished
companions to the Tribe of Banu Sulaym of the Mountains of Najd to teach them
Islam as per their request. A betrayal on the part of the host tribe of Najd ended
in a battle near the well of Ma'unah.
219-
Also on this subject,
'Âmir bin Tufayl narrated that when 'Âmir bin Fahirah was killed, they saw his
body rising in the air.
220-
Hishâm bin 'Urwa narrated
that during the Battle of the well of Ma'unah, 'Âmir bin al-Tufayl asked 'Amru
bnu Umayya about a martyr whose body was lifted up in the air, he replied:
"This is 'Âmir bin Fahïrah's body." He later on added: "I saw
him raised between the heavens and the earth," and all the companions
agreed that his body was washed by the heavenly angles who also buried him away
from people's sight and knowledge.
11- 'ÂSIM BIN ThÂBIT
Faith in Almighty Allah
also means to discard what is clearly false, and to humbly pursue what is
distinctly true. In his life time, 'Âsim bin Thâbit, God be pleased with him,
was true to his Lord. He guarded his covenant with his Lord, and he pledged
never to accept the promise of a polytheist.
221-
Buraida bin Sulaimàn
al-Aslami narrated that on the day of his martyrdom, 'Âsim prayed: "My
Lord, today I am defending Your faith and religion, so defend and protect my
body from mutilation."
Hence, 'Âsim, God be
pleased with him, understood that comfort in this life is transient, while it
is permanent in the hereafter for the believers. He also realized that whatever
God Almighty has decreed will take place, and that one's eventual return will
ultimately be to his Creator and Lord.
222-
'Âsim bin 'Amr narrated
that God's messenger ëfc once sent six of his companions, including Murthid Ibn
Abi Murthid, 'Âsim bin Thâbit, and Khalid bin al-Bakir in a mission to the
tribe of Bani Luhyân. On their way back to Madina, the tribe of Bani Huthayl
betrayed the convoy of believers, and they launched a vicious attack them.
During the battle, the believers were offered amnesty if they would surrender,
but at that point, 'Âsim made a covenant with his Lord never to trust the pact
of a polytheist, and he had earlier vowed never to touch a polytheist or let a
polytheist touch him. it is then that 'Âsim prayed: "Lord, today I am defending
your faith and religion, so defend and protect my body from mutilation".
He then charged against his enemy and fought until he was martyred along with
all of his companions in that battle.
When the tribe of Bani
Huthayl learned of 'Âsim's death, they wanted to behead him and to sell his
skull to Sulâfa, the daughter of Sa'ad bin Shahid, who had vowed when her two
sons were killed during the Battle of Uhud at the hand of 'Âsim, that if she
could put her hand on him, she will drink wine in his skull. Thus, when the men
of Bani Huthayl went to seek his head, they could not near his body because of
a swarm of wasps that had gathered around him. Seeing the present danger, the
men of Bani Huthayl drew back, and they decided to wait until the nightfall,
hopping that by night, the wasps would have left. At night, when they arrived,
they could not find his body. When Omar bin al-Khattâb heard of 'Âsim's
destiny, and how the wasps prevented his enemy from reaching his body, he
commented: "God has accepted the vow of His true servant, and surely He
has fulfilled his prayers."
Among the blessed
companions of God's messenger S also towers the name of Khubaib bin 'Udai, God
be pleased with him. He was blessed in martyrdom, and he endured great
sufferings at the hands of his torturers who crucified him because of his love
for his Beloved. Khubaib concealed his sufferings, and he endured his
crucifixion with great courage and faith in an unparalleled demonstration of
endurance to raise the flag of God's message. When the incredulous confederates
plotted to kill him, they stirred the tribes to execute him, then they made him
a cross, and they celebrated his execution by inviting women and children to
witness, but Allah took away his anxiety, replaced it with peacefulness in a
manifestation of His presence (Arb. sak'ina), and He strengthened him
with faith and endurance.
' 223-
Ibn Ishaq narrated that before his execution, the tribes
gave Khubaib a choice
between renouncing his faith in Allah and returning to believe in their
dieties, or facing death. His tears flew profusely as he did not hesitate to
embrace and defend God's call. Before his death he said: "Why would I fear
death when it will eventually seize me no doubt, and when what I truly fear is
to become fuel for hell-fire. Hence, as long as I die as a believer, it does
not matter to me how it happens."
224- Also on this subject, Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him,
narrated that God's messenger áfc once sent a brigade of ten people on a
mission, and he appointed 'Âsim bin Thâbit al-Ansâri from Madina, as their
leader. When the brigade reached between the town of 'Asian and city of Mecca,
someone discovered them and reported what he saw to the tribe of Bani Huthayl
who immediately dispatched one hundred strong men to search for them. During
their chase, they found tracks of some date pits from Madina that led them to
'Àsim and to his men. When 'Âsim bin Thâbit realized that he was being pursued,
he directed his men to a high desert plateau, however, it was too late then,
for the clan of Bani Huthayl had already surrounded them.
The leader of Bani
Huthayl then called out: "Come down and give yourselves up as war
prisoners, and you have my solemn word that if you do surrender, none of you
will be killed!" 'Âsim bin Thâbit, the leader of the Muslim men then
proclaimed: "I swear by Allah that I do not trust the covenant of a
disbeliever. O my Lord, inform Thy prophet about what happened to us."
'Âsim then charged against the enemy and he was martyred along with six of his
companions. The other three men including Khubaib bin 'Udai, were forced to
surrender. When the clan of Bani Huthayl captured them, the clan negated its
promise not to kill its prisoners, and they tied them up and dragged them to
sell them as slaves in Mecca. On their way, one of the three men realized what
happened, and he proclaimed: "By God, this is a flagrant betrayal, and I
shall not follow you." As he resisted, the men of Bani Huthayl killed him,
and then they continued on their way to Mecca with the remaining two Muslims.
In Mecca, the son of
al-Hârith bin 'Àmir bought Khubaib bin 'Udai who had killed his father during
the Battle of Badr. One day, the son of al-Hàrith bin 'Âmir decided to kill
Khubaib, and Marya the servant of Hujair bin Abi Ahàb who later became Muslim
narrated: "I walked into the room where Khubaib was imprisoned, and I
found the son of al-Harith holding a sharpened dagger against the neck of his
tied-up prisoner. I screamed and Khubaib understood why. The son of al-Hârith
then said to me, 'Are you afraid that I may kill him?' I replied, 'By God, I
have never seen a prisoner who is more blessed than Khubaib. I found him one
day in his chains eating from a cluster of fresh grapes when the entirety of
Mecca did not have a single fruit!' "
Later on, Marya used to
say: "Surely it was a miracle, — a blessed food the All-Compassionate,
Almighty Allah gave to Khubaib."
225- Ibn Ishaq narrated: "When the disbelievers brought Khubaib
out of the area of the sacred Haram to kill him, Khubaib asked permission to
pray two Rak'ât, and his executioners granted his wish. After completing
his prayers, Khubaib said to his murderers: "I swear to Allah that I did
not wish to prolong my prayers lest you think I am afraid of death."
"As they tied him up
to a cross and raised it to execute him, Khubaib prayed, 'My Lord, we have
delivered Thy message to the people. Lord, inform Thy Prophet about the
sufferings they put us through."
Also among the blessed
companions there shines the name of the blessed Ja'far bin Abi Tàlib, God be
pleased with him. As a pious caller to God Almighty, Ja'far bin Abi Tàlib was a
forthright, honorable, and a courageous speaker, he was a benevolent and a generous
host who opened his house to both rich and poor people. Ja'far migrated twice,
once to Abyssinia, and then to Madina. He often deserted the company of people
to contemplate the work of his Creator, for often intimately associating with
people for mere socializing could cause ambiguity in one's action, and it can
affect the purity of one's thoughts.
226-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Burda said: "God's messenger commanded us to migrate under
the leadership of Ja'far bin Abi Tâlib to the land of al-Najâshi in Abyssinia.
When the tribe of Quraish heard of our exodus, they immediately dispatched a
delegation made of 'Amru Bnul-'Àss and 'Ammâra bin al-Walïd to meet with the
leaders of Abyssinia. Upon arriving before the Abyssinian king al-Najâshi, they
prostrated themselves before him, and they offered him precious gifts they
collected from the wealthy people of Quraish. When the king inquired about the
purpose of their journey, they replied, 'Some people from our land have
renounced our religion and sought refuge in your land.' The king inquired: Tn
my land?' They answered in the affirmative."
Burda continued:
"Prior to our arrival, 'Amru Bnul-'Àss also had said to the king
al-Najâshi, 'O great king, they will even refuse to prostrate before your
majesty or pay obeisance to you!' Hence, when the king al-Najâshi summoned us,
and before leaving our dwellings, some of our people became distraught, and
they engaged in a quiet debate. Someone asked, 'What would you say to the king?
Someone else replied, 'By God, we will tell him what we know, and what our
prophet taught us, then let whatever happened happen!"'
"On our way to the
palace, our leader, Ja'far bin Abi Tâlib, said, 'Let no one among you speak
before him, I am your spokesman today!' Hence, when we arrived before
al-Najâshi, there we found the Quraishi delegation, consisting of 'Amru
Bnul-'Àss sitting by the al-Najâshi's right side and 'Ammâra bin al-Walïd by
his left side. The court priests were also gathered, and they were sitting in
the royal meeting hall in twin rows, facing one another. Earlier, when we
entered the palace, the priest in charge of royal protocols instructed us:
'When you come before the king, you must prostrate yourselves to him.' However,
we did not heed his instruction, and thus, when we stood before al-Najâshi, one
of the priests rebuked us stridently, 'Prostrate yourselves before the king!'
Ja'far then replied:
"We only prostrate to Allah, the.Lord of majesty and glory."
Al-Najâshi impetuously
said: "And who is he?"
Ja'far replied: "O
king, Allah, the Lord of the universe, the most exalted, has sent us a
Messenger who was foretold by Jesus, upon whom be peace, when He said to His
apostles: ' A Messenger will come after me called Ahmad.' Hence, God's
messenger £& commanded us to worship Allah, the most exalted, and to
associate no one with Him, and he commanded us to establish regular prayers, to
give charity, to do good, and to abstain from evil."
Al-Najâshi then asked:
"What is this new religion of yours that led you to forsake the ways of
your people? Why did you not enter my religion or the known religions of the
world?"
Ja'far replied: "O
king! We were a pagan people who lived in ignorance. We worshipped idols, ate
dead flesh, and committed abominable sins. We used to forsake our blood
relations, mistreat our neighbors, and the strong among us took advantage of
the weak. We remained thus until God Almighty send us a Messenger from among
ourselves, of whom we know his lineage, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and
purity. He called us to Almighty Allah, to worship only Him, and to glorify His
Oneness. He also commanded us to refrain from the pagan worship of stone idols,
and he commanded us to be truthful, trustworthy, caring for one's
consanguineous relations, to abstain from what is forbidden, to protect the
property of orphans, to abstain from mendaciousness, and to desist from
committing blasphemy against chaste women. He also commanded us to worship God
Almighty alone, and to associate no partner to Him, to offer regular prayers,
to pay charity, and to fast."
Ja'far, having thus
enumerated all aspects of Islam and its pillars, he added: "We accepted
God's message, we followed His messenger and we prescribed to what God Almighty
ordained, that is, to do what is lawful and to abstain from the unlawful.
Seeing that, our people persecuted the weak among us, they oppressed us and
restrained our conditions to force us to renounce our faith. When God's
messenger saw our fit, he told us to come to your country, and he apprised us
that you are a just king. Thus, we made the choice to migrate to your land over
other choices, soliciting your good neighboring reputation, and hoping that we
will not be unjustly treated."
Al-Najâshi replied:
"Can you recall any of the revelations he brought from God Almighty?"
Ja'far replied:
"Indeed," and he recited the beginning of the chapter 'Mary' from the
holy Qur'an (chapter 19), in which revelation Almighty Allah says:
(In the Name of Allah,
the Merciful and Compassionate.)
< Kaf, ha, ya, 'ain,
sâd. This is the account of your Lord's mercy upon His servant Zacharia. When
he cried to his Lord in secret, saying: "My Lord, my bones are enfeebled
and my head glows with gray hair, and yet my Lord, I have never prayed to You
in vain. Now I fear when my kinsmen will succeed me, and my wife is barren.
Grant me O Lord a son to be my heir and to inherit the house of Jacob, and
bless him, O Lord." — (Allah said:) "Rejoice O Zacharia, We are
granting your prayer with a son that shall be called Yahya (]ohn), and
on no one before him did we confer such distinction (or name)." He said:
"Lord! How (is it possible that I) can have a son when my wife is barren,
and I am well advanced in age?" He replied: "Thus will it be, you
Lord said. It is easy for Me, for I have created you, and you were nothing
before." "Lord," said Zacharia, "Give me a sign." He
answered: "Your sign is that you will be bereft of speech for three days
and nights." Thus, Zacharia came out from his niche and exhorted his
people in sign language to glorify their Lord morning and evening. (To his son
came the command): "O Yahya! Have resolve in observing the
scripture;" and We bestowed upon him wisdom while yet a child. We also
endowed him with compassion for all creatures from Our own, and with grace and
purity he grew up to be a righteous man; honoring his parents, and he was
neither arrogant nor rebellious. So peace be upon him the day he was born, the
day that he dies, and the day he will be raised to life again." > (Qur'an
19:1-15)
'Al-Najâshi liked what he
heard as did his priests, but when 'Amru Bnul-'Àss noticed that, he quickly
said: 'May God guide your majesty. They differ with your faith utterly in the
subject of the son of Mary!' Al-Najâshi then turned to Ja'far and asked him:
'What does your companion say about the son of Mary?' Ja'far replied: 'He says
what God Almighty says about him. He is a soul from Allah and His Word. He came
forth from the virgin and chaste Mary whom no human has ever touched, and no
one ever claimed his fatherhood;' and Ja'far then recited from the same
Chapter:
4 Also narrated in the Book
is the story of Mary: how she withdrew from her people and betook herself to a
solitary Eastern chamber, and she drew a screen between herself and them. We
sent to her Our spirit who appeared before her as a perfect human being. When
she saw him, she exclaimed: "I seek refuge in the Merciful Lord to defend
me from you! If you fear the Lord, do not come near me!" He replied:
"I am only the messenger of your Lord, and have come to grant you a holy
son." She said: "How can I bear a son when no human has ever touched
me, nor was I ever unchaste?" He replied: "Such is the will of your
Lord. He said, 'It is easy for Me, and We shall make him a sign to humanity,
and a mercy from Us, and thus it was a matter which We had decreed.'" >
(Qur'an 19:16-21)
Hearing that, al-Najâshi
wept until his beard became wet, and all the priests wept as well until the
scriptures they spread before them also became wet with their tears. Meanwhile,
back in Mecca, a revelation concerning the people of the Book who recognize
Allah's message descended upon God's messenger saying: 4 When they listen to
that which was revealed to the Apostle, you will see their eyes filled with
tears as they recognize its truth. They say: 'Lord, we believe. Count us among
Your witnesses. Why should we not believe in Allah and in the truth that has
come down to us? And for their words Allah has rewarded them with gardens
beneath which rivers flow, and there they shall dwell forever. Such is the
recompense of the righteous, but those that disbelieve and deny Our revelations
shall be the heirs of hell-fire. > (Qur'an 5:83)
Al-Najâshi, with his
scepter, then drew a line on the floor and said: "O assembly of priests!
What these people have attributed to your faith weighs no more than this line
regarding what they voiced concerning the son of Mary." He then added:
"What was just rehearsed before you and what Moses brought surely comes
from the same niche."
Al-Najâshi then addressed
Ja'far and his companions saying: "By God, I shall not extradite you or
surrender you to them, and how could I? I welcome you in this land, and I
welcome the one who sent you. I too bear witness that he is God's messenger who
was foretold by the son of Mary, upon whom be peace. If it were not for my
pressing duties, I would go in person to him and kiss his foot. As for now, you
may stay in this land as long as you wish. Go and you shall be safe in my land.
Whoever harms you shall be punished." The king repeated this warning three
times.
Al-Najashi then added:
"I would hate to have even a mountain of gold should any of you be hurt.
He then addressed the priests saying: "Give these people their gifts back
to them. God did not take a bribe as an offering from me when He returned my
kingdom back to me! He it is that made people obey me and I will obey Him in
their subject."
The king then ordered
that a periodic measure of food and other supplies be assigned to us along with
the needed clothing, and he kept us in a house near his palace."
'Amru Bin al-'Âss and
'Ammârah bin al-Walid left the court dismayed. 'Ammâra bin al-Walid was killed
by adverse circumstances before returning to Mecca, while 'Amru Bnul-'Âss
returned empty handed to face humiliation and the rebuke of his peers in Mecca.
227-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, said: " Ja'far bin Abi Talib used to love the poor and
the meek. He used to sit with them and to engaged in extensive amicable
discussions, until God's messenger called him 'Father of the meek.' "
228-
'Abdullah bin al-Zubair
narrated that his foster father told him: "By God, it is still a vivid
image in my mind, when I saw Ja'far charging on his blond horse against the
enemy on the day of the Battle of Mu'tah. He then dismounted and slaughtered
his horse before he walked to fight on foot, chanting a poem: 'Welcome to
paradise and its nearness, Welcome to the eternally blessed abode and the cool
drink.' 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair fought on foot until he was martyred."
229-
Ibn Omar, God be pleased
with him, said: "We missed Ja'far the day of the Battle of Mu'tah, and we
sought him among the martyrs to find him decorated with over ninety
wounds."
14-
'Abdullâh bin Ruwâha al-Ansâri
Among the marks of true
faith is to contemplate the signs of one's Lord, and to persevere with patience
and endurance under the pangs of one's trials. 'Abdullah bin Ruwâha, God be
pleased with him, was more than willing to cross any barrier, even if it were
of burning coal, to reach the abode of comfort in the nearness of his Lord and
to receive His blessings. 'Abdullah had little attachment to this world, and
without failing, he sought the infallible meeting with his Lord, and he was
amiable, ascetic, and a humble man.
230-
On this subject, 'Urwa
bin al-Zubair narrated that when 'Abdullah bin Ruwâha was preparing to join the
campaign of Mu'tah in Syria, his family and companions in Madina came to bid
him farewell. 'Abdullâh cried and. everyone became emotional and cried with
him. His family and companions asked him: "Why are you crying?"
'Abdullâh replied: V By God, I have no attachment to this world, nor do I have
any longing to remain with you, it is rather a verse I heard from God's
messenger that is making me cry." He then recited: < None of you but
shall pass the confines of hell: such is the irrevocable decree of your Lord.
> (Qur'an 19:71) 'Abdullâh continued: "I understand the-notion
of passing through its confines, but I do not know how to proceed and step out
of it after that! I realize that I have to go through it, but I do not know
whether I will be able to come out of it or not." He then added:
"However, I ask the Merciful Lord for His forgiveness, and to grant me a
single fatal blow in this battle, so that when people pass by my body, they
will say: 'Allah has surely guided you.' "
This expedition to the
north was a punitive action against the governors of the Byzantines, and the
Roman empire they represented then. It took place when an emissary of God's
messenger was murdered in the name of Hiraclius, the Byzantine monarch of Syria
then, as the emissary carried a letter from God's messenger to the governor
Hiraclius.
When the Muslim
expedition arrived to Ma'ân, in Syria, they learned that the Byzantine's
governor had mobilized over one hundred thousand strong men who were joined by
another one hundred thousand Arabised men from various tribes in the north. The
Byzantine army was led by Theodorus, Hiraclius's brother. When the Muslim army
of three thousand men, lead by Zaid bin Hâritha, God be pleased with him, learned
about that, they debated for two days and nights, and someone in the council
suggested to send someone back to God's messenger áfc asking for support and
further orders. During their debate, 'Abdullah bin Ruwâha, God be pleased with?
him, rose and said: "O people! By God, what you are afraid to happen is
precisely what you have come here to meet, — namely, martyrdom. We do not fight
either with number, physical strength, or equipment. Our strength comes only
from this religion we were blessed to receive from God Almighty. Thus, rise to
battle, and it will be only one of two blessings you may receive: either
victory or martyrdom." 'Abdullah's convictions and faith inspired the
people, while his brave and sincere counsel united their hearts. Later on, at
some point during the battle, 'Abdullah bin Ruwâha felt some indecisiveness on
his part. He then looked up and saw his companions Zaid and Ja'far fighting
valiantly, and he recited: "O my soul, if you are not killed here, death
is eventually your ultimate confine. Here comes the messenger of death. Indeed,
what you have wished for has come! Here is your chance to meet your Lord if you
follow their footsteps."
During that battle, one
of the companions also heard 'Abdullah reciting : "O my soul, I have sworn
that you will fight in battle deliberately, or that I shall force you to fight.
Now that people have assembled for the battle, why then do you not persevere
and charge with them? Do you hate to enter paradise?"
'Abdullah fought in that
battle until he met the countenance of his Lord while defending the banner of
God's messenger ÍJí, upon whom be peace.
231-
Sa'id bin al-Musayyib
narrated that following that battle, God's messenger said: "Last night, in
a vision, I saw them in paradise gathered under a dome made of pearl. Each one
of them was comfortably reclining on a couch, and I saw Zaid and Ibn Ruwâha,
and their neck had some distress, although that was not the case for Ja'far. I
asked about them, and I was told that when they, encountered death, they
hesitated for a moment."
232-
Anas bin Malik, the
nephew Anas bin al-Nadhr, God be pleased with them both, narrated that his
paternal uncle "Anas bin al-Nadhr was unable to participate in the Battle
of Badr. When he arrived after the battle he vowed: 'I was unavailable to
partake in the first battle in which God's messenger fought the polytheists,
and should Almighty Allah allow me to live and witness another battle, He will
surely behold what I will do!" 1
On the day of the Battle
of Uhud, when the confederates' army of polytheists became visible, Anas bin
al-Nadhr exclaimed: "My Lord, bear witness that I disavow and refute what
these polytheists claim, and I apologize for what the Muslims have done."
He then charged on foot toward the enemy. On his way he met Sa'ad bin Mu'âth,
God be pleased with him, and said to him: "O Sa'ad, I smell the fragrance
of paradise, O Sa'ad, what a sweet aroma it has!" After the Battle of
Uhud, Sa'ad bin Mu'âth reported what he saw to God's messenger saying: "O
Messenger of Allah, I could not have fought the way he did!"
Anas bin Malik continued:
"When we searched for his body, we found it laying amidst the martyrs
having sustained over eighty wounds between the blows of swords, lances, and
arrows. After they killed him, the unbelievers mutilated him, and only his
sister was able to recognize him from his garment."
Later on, Anas bin Malik,
God be pleased with, also said: "When we used to recite the Qur'anic
verse: < Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant
with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vow, and others are still awaiting their
end, yielding to no changes, > (Qur'an 33:23) we used to think that
it was revealed referring to Anas bin al-Nadhr and his companions the martyrs
of Uhud."
16-
'Abdullâh Thul-Bajâdain Al-Mazini
Among the companions we
also treasure the blessed and pious Qur'an reciter 'Abdullâh Thul-Bajâdain
al-Mazini of Madina, who was free from pretentiousness, pride, or
superciliousness. He fraternized with Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with
both of them. 'Abdullah was martyrized during the Battle of Tabouk, and it was
God's messenger that laid him to rest in his grave, and shed his blessed tears
of love over him.
233-
'Atâ bin Abi 'Abbas
reported that God's messenger buried 'Abdullah Thul-Bajàdain at night, he lit a
fire by the grave, and then descended the grave first, before he said to his
two blessed companions Omar and Abu Bakr: "You may now lower down your
brother." God's messenger then laid him in his charnel (lahd) facing
the Qibla, and after straightened the grave with the remaining of the
companions, they all performed the funeral prayer on him at the grave site.
Before leaving, God's messenger £& looked at the grave of 'Abdullah, and he
addressed him saying: "God bless your soul O 'Abdullah, for you were
indeed a true penitent oft-pondering your Lord, and you recited the Qur'an
regularly and methodically." Facing the Ka'ba, God's messenger £& then
lifted up his hands and prayed: "My Lord, as of the fall of this night, I
am pleased with him, so may Thou be pleased with him, and bless him as
well."
'Abdullah, the son of
Omar, also was present that night, and when he heard God's messenger recite
this exalted prayer, he said to himself: "By God! I wish I was in his
place. He received such exalted blessings even though I had embraced Islam
fifteen years earlier than he did."
Among the early Muslim
émigrés (muhâjireen) who were also known for their immaculate purity,
devotion, and ascetic detachment (zuhud), we also list herein the
honorable companion 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him. He enjoyed
a long life of servitude to Almighty Allah, he devoted his life to studying and
reading the holy Qur'an from an early age, and he taught the same to the other
companions. In fact, 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud was one of the best readers of the
Qur'an and an excellent tutor. Although he began teaching at a young age, yet, he
proved to be a great teacher, and later on in his life, he became a versed
canonist and an distinguished commentator. 'Abdullâh bin Mas'oud was a sincere
and a loyal companion who was true to his covenant, and he was one who honors
his promises. He was one of the foremost devoted followers and a wise man whose
intercession was most respected, and his prayers were always subject to Allah's
favorable answer.
234-
'Âsim narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud told him: "I learned and memorized seventy Silra
(chapters of the holy Qur'an) directly from God's messenger while Zaid bin
Thâbit was still a lad playing with the boys with a tress of hair hanging over
his shoulders."
235-
'Alqama narrated that a
man once came to Omar bin al- Khattâb and said: "I have just visited a man
who speaks with the Qur'an. Omar shook and looked upset, and he commented:
"O man! Watch what you say! I am only telling the truth." The man
replied. Omar asked: "Who are you talking about?" 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud," the man replied.
Omar immediately regained
his poise and calmly said: "I know of no one who is more worthy of such
virtue besides him."
Omar then added:
"Let me tell you a story about him. One night, God's messenger and myself
stayed late at Abu Bakr's house. When we left, Abu Bakr and myself walked God's
messenger back to his house, and he walked between the two of us. The night was
opaque, and the streets were extremely dark. As we reached near the mosque, we
perceived the shadow of a man who was reciting the Qur'an. God's messenger
immediately stopped to listen, and he signaled me out to keep quite. When the
man finished reading, he bowed and then prostrated himself before he sat back
praying and invoking zikr of the divine attributes. God's messenger then
softly and gently said: "Ask and you shall be given." He then turned
to us and added: "Whosoever wishes to read the Qur'an afresh as it was
revealed, then let him read it like Ibn Um 'Ubâda." My companion and I
immediately knew that he was speaking of 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud (whose mother
was known as Um 'Ubâda). In the morning, I hastened to carry the glad tidings
to him, and to my surprise, he replied: 'Abu Bakr was here earlier.' I pondered
for a moment praising the Almighty Allah, and surely whenever I hastened to do
a good deed, I always discovered that Abu Bakr was leading everyone in such
virtues."
236-
Sa'id bin al-Musayyib
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud was praying at the Mosque in the middle of
a dark night when God's messenger Abu Bakr and Omar passed by, and they heard
him pray: "Lord, I ask Thee to grant me faith that never ceases growing,
blessings that never end, and comfort in Thy presence that will never be veiled
again." Hearing that, God's messenger quietly said: "Ask and you
shall be given."
On his way back home, Abu
Bakr went straight to 'Abdullah to bring him the glad tidings, and he asked
him: "Teach me the supplication you recited earlier!" Upon receiving
the tidings, 'Abdullah praised God Almighty, glorified Him, and he then prayed:
"My Lord! Truly there is no God besides Thee. Thy promise is true, and
meeting Thee is true. Verily, paradise is true, and hell is true, Thy
messengers are true, Thy Book is true, Thy prophets are true, and Muhammad is
true."
237-
Sa'i'd bin al-Musayyib
narrated that God's messenger tronce said: "Hold fast to the
covenant of 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud."
238-
Abu Dâwoud narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "I was a young boy herding the sheep of 'Uqba
bin Abi Ma'ït when God's messenger and Abu Bakr walked by me, and after
greeting me, Abu Bakr asked: "Young boy, do you have some extra milk to
give us for drinking?"
"I only work here,
and I have no authority to let you have what I am entrusted to guard."
'Abdullah replied.
God's messenger then
asked: "Is there a lamb here that no ram has yet mounted?"
'Abdullah continued:
"When I brought him what he asked for, Abu Bakr held the lamb while God's
messenger took hold of its udder and prayed before the udder miraculously
became lactescent. He then drew some milk, and after they drank to
satisfaction, he commanded the udder to shrink back to its original size, and
it did, by God's leave. When I saw that, I was amazed, and I immediately went
to him and said: 'Teach me such good words!' God's messenger replied: 'You are
indeed blessed, and you are surely a well taught youngster.'
'Abdullah further
continued: "Later on, when I migrated to Madina, I memorized seventy silra
directly from him, no one can evidence otherwise."
In Madina, 'Abdullah
became very close to God's messenger ■&, and he often carried his personal
pillow, cloak, miswâk, and sandals.
239-
'Alqama narrated that he
once traveled to Syria, and there he visited Abu Ddardâ' who asked him:
"Where do you come from?" "From Küfa," 'Alqama replied. Abu
Ddardâ' then eagerly inquired with great anticipation: "Is the carrier of
the pillow and the miswâk among you today?"
240-
Also on this subject, Abi
Wâ'il narrated that 'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazïd once inquired from Huthaifa:
"Point out to us someone who is nearest in guidance and manners to God's
messenger
so we may solicit his
company, emulate his character, and learn from him!" Huthaifa replied:
"I know of no such person alive today besides his companion Ibn Um
'Ubâda." He then added: "The blessed companions of God's messenger
know well that on the Day of Judgment, the intercession of 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud is nearest to acceptance."
241-
'Ali, God bless his
countenance, narrated that God's messenger said: "Each prophet was given
seven compassionate, true and trustworthy companions, and I was given fourteen;
Hamza, Ja'far, 'Ali, al-Hassan, al-Hussain, Abu Bakr, Omar, 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud, Abu Tharr, al-Miqdâd, Huthaifa, 'Ammar, Salman and Bilal."
242-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that when 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud died, Abi al-Ahwas
was at his funeral and he heard Abu Músa al-Ash'ari say to Abu Mas'oud: "I
wonder if there is anyone left of his caliber?" Aba Mas'oud replied:
"If you say so! Surely he was given access to the inner circles of God's
messenger ££ when such access was not everyone's privilege, and he was in the
forefront defending God's message when we were absent."
243-
Abi al-Bakhtari narrated
that someone asked 'Ali, God bless his countenance, about 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud, 'Ali replied: "He read the Qur'an and it answered every question
he had. He learned the Qur'an and the prophetic traditions (sunna) and
he stopped there, for sufficient is such knowledge."
244-
Referring to 'Abdullah
bin Mas'oud's knowledge and understanding of Islam, Abu Músa al-Ash'ari once said:
"Ask us no questions as long as this true luminary (hibr) lives
amidst you!"
The
Qur'an Reader
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud
guarded himself against adversities with his unwavering dependence on the
guidance of the divine source of reference (i.e., the holy Qur'an), and
the lucid example of prophetic traditions (sunna) of his great
companion, God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace. In essence, his
spiritual struggle was based upon improving one's own trait to balance his
stance.
245-
On this subject,
'Abdullah, the son of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, narrated that 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, once described the Qur'an reader, saying:
"You recognize the Qur'an reader when he stays up worshipping at night
while others remain asleep, and he observes voluntary fast during the day, when
others feast. He is mostly heavyhearted, while others blithely celebrate the
attractions of this ephemeral world. He cries when others laugh, he is silent
when others mix truth with falsehood, and he is humble and meek when others
walk around exhibiting haughtiness, disdain, and arrogance. In fact, one who
reads the Qur'an is contemplative and despondent, he is wise, forbearing,
knowledgeable and mostly quiet. Such one is neither coarse nor slumberous, and
he is not boisterous, vociferous or argumentative."
246-
Al-Musayyib bin Rafi'
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "I hate to see a man who is
hollow. He is neither successful in managing the business of this world, nor
that of the hereafter."
247-
Khaithama narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Let me not find any of you like a qurtub,
a dead corpse during the night, and sprightly and bright like a firefly during
the day."
248-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
narrated that Ibn 'Uyaina said: "A qurtub is someone who sits one
hour with one type of people, and in the next hour, he sits with their
opposites, trying to be pleasing to both."
249-
Expounding on the virtues
of prayers (salât), Bishr bin Müsa narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud
used to say: "As long as you are in prayers, you are knocking at the door
of the King, and if you knock at the door of the King, it will surely open. If
you can, be the interlocutor who listens to what is being said. If you hear God
Almighty say: 4 O ye who believe, > then hearken to His call, for such call
is an admonition that will either bear benefits He ordains, or warns against an
evil He forbids."
250-
Ishaq bin Ibrâhîm
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud also used to say: "This Qur'an is the
banquet of Allah. If one can learn something from it, then let him do so, for
the poorest of homes, and which tenants are most sick, is one that has nothing
of it. In fact, a household that does not memorize the Qur'an and live by its
dictates is like an abandoned ruin, and Satan will never abide in a house that
regularly recites (the chapter) al-Baqara."
251-
Elaborating on the
subject of the Qur'an and knowledge, 'Abdu-Rahmân bin al-Aswad narrated that
Ibn Mas'oud used to say: "These hearts are vessels. Fill them up with the
Qur'an and occupy them with nothing else."
252-
Khalid' bin 'Aoun
narrated that Ibn Mas'oud once said to him: "True knowledge is not
measured in relationship to how much you memorize and then narrate, but rather,
true knowledge is an expression of piety."
253-
'Alqama narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Study and act upon what you learn."
254-
'Adiyyi bnu 'Ubiyyi
quoted Ibn Mas'oud to have said: "Woe to the ignorant one, although it had
been God's will, He would have granted him knowledge, and woe to the one who
knows and does not act upon his knowledge." Ibn Mas'oud reiterated that
statement seven times.
255-
'Abdullah bin 'Akim
narrated that he heard Ibn Mas'oud speak in the mosque. Ibn Mas'oud commenced
by addressing the people sitting on his right side and said: "None of you
but shall be brought before his Lord for a private hearing, just as one of you
stands alone to gaze at the full moon. His Lord will say to him: 'O son of
Adam, what is it that deceived you about Me? O son of Adam, what did you answer
My messengers? O son of Adam, what have you done with what you learned?'
256-
Bakr bin Bakkâr narrated
that he heard Ibn Mas'oud say: "I think that one forgets his knowledge,
and his memory fails him because of his sins."
Ibn Mas'oud guarded his
heart against attachment to worldly comforts, family and child. He cared little
about his personal needs and hardly did the material world take any prominence
in his life. Finally, he was extremely grateful to his Lord for granting him
faith and guidance, and he continuously prayed to God Almighty to grant him His
choiciest blessings. Ibn Mas'oud taught and trained his soul to seek such
excellence, and thus, he rose above fear and doubt. In the latter part of his
life, Ibn Mas'oud reminisced the blessed fellowship of God's messenger and his
righteous companions, and nothing could replace the blessings contained in the
early days of the divine revelation in his heart.
257-
On this subject, Abu
Juhaifa narrated that Ibn Mas'oud said: "The splendor of this world has
gone, and gloominess is what remains — making death the greatest blessing for every
Muslim to win."
258-
Abu Bakr bin Shayba
narrated that Ibn Mas'oud said: "This world is like a small pond at the
top of a mountain that collects rain water, much of the water has expired, and
what remains is brakish and begrimed with dirt."
259-
Qays bin Habtar narrated
that Ibn Mas'oud said: "Better are the disfavored constrainers, death and
poverty, — Ido not care whichever trial befalls me in this lifetime, because it
can either be richness or poverty! Should my luck attract richness, it embodies
compassion, and should my luck invite poverty, it necessitates the blessing of
exercising patience!"
260-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazïd
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud revealed to him that God's messenger once
told him: "I give you permission to sometimes lift off the (spiritual)
veil and to hearken to the favorites until I order you otherwise."
261-
'Abdullah, the son of
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God bless his soul, narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said:
"A servant of Allah does not attain true faith unless he recognizes the
ultimate, and he will not perceive the ultimate unless he comes to favors
poverty over richness, meekness over honor and pride, and until he deems
praises and blames as equal." Ibn Mas'oud's companions interpreted that to
mean that he would prefer to be poor rather than to earn unlawful money, and to
humbly obey his Lord rather than breach His covenant for the sake of material
gain, honor or pride.
262-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Ibn Mas'oud said: "I swear by Allah Who alone is God, it
does not matter what adversities one may encounter during the day as long as he
rises up in the morning in a state of Islam, and winds up his day in the
evening in a state of Islam, accepting and submitting to his Lord."
263-
Al-Hârith bin Suwayd
narrated that Ibn Mas'oud once spoke to himself, saying: "I swear by
Allah, Who alone is God, Ibn Mas'oud's family woke up today having no means to
bring themselves good or to repel evil, except that God Almighty knows that
'Abdullah associates no one with his Lord."
264t 'Amir bin
Masrouq narrated that a man visiting 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud said during the
course of a conversation: "Surely I do not wish to be resurrected among
the companions of the right, but I would rather be among the near ones."
Hearing that statement, 'Abdullah commented: "However, perhaps there is
someone here who would rather not be resurrected after he dies!" — Meaning
himself.
265-
Al-Hàrith bin Suwayd
narrated that 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud once said: "If you knew what I know,
you would bury me alive."
HlS TEACHINGS AND ADMONITIONS
266-
'Abdu-Rahmân Ibn Hujaira,
father of 'Abdullah al- Khawlâni, once Egypt's supreme justice, quoted from his
father's narration that during a study circle (halaqatu ta'leem),
'Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud said: "O people, as the night and the day go by,
your residency in this world becomes shorter, your actions are recorded, and
your death will be sudden. One who sows good will soon harvest his heart's
wishes, and one who sows evil will soon harvest regret. Every farmer will
harvest what he plants. An unhurried person cannot forerun or accelerate his
luck, and a sharp-witted person cannot exceed his bounds. Thus, if one receives
any benefits, it is Allah the most exalted Who allotted them to him, and if one
is shielded from evil, Almighty Allah is the one Who protected him from their
danger. Surely the pious ones are the sires in this world, and the scholars and
canonists are the heirs and leaders, whosoever sits in their company will
definitely reap benefits."
267-
Al-Dhahhak bin Muzâhim
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "You are only guests in this
world, and you own is only a borrowed trust. Eventually the guest will depart,
and the borrowed trust must be returned to its rightful Owner."
268-
'Abdu-Rahmân, son of
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, narrated that someone asked his father: "O father
of 'Abdu-Rahmân, teach me few words that are all-encompassing and beneficial,
so that I will need no further elaboration!" Ibn Mas'oud replied:
"Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him. Live by the dictates of the
Qur'an and pursue its guidance. Accept truth and justice even if they come from
a stranger you do not recognize, or even from someone you regard as despicable,
and refute falsehood even if it comes from a sibling you love."
269-
Müsa bin 'Ubaida narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "The truth is heavy and bitter, and
falsehood is light but infected. How often desires inherit their author
attenuated agony!"
270-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "By Allah Who alone is God, nothing on this
earth requires extended incarceration more than one's tongue."
271-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud also used to say: "One's heart sometimes feels
a strong yearning and responsiveness, and yet, at other times, it feels waning
and disengaged. Take advantage of its responsiveness when inviting, and
disregard what is offered when your heart feels despondent."
272-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with
him, said: "Follow the coherence of your heart, beware of anything towards
which it feels despondent, and disregard what it declines to concur with."
273-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
al-'Absi narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, said:
"If you can protect your property against woodworms and thieves, then do
so, for often one's heart is attached to his property."
274-
'Atreess bin 'Arqoub
al-Shaibani once came to 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud and said: "What an awful
end awaits someone who does not command good and forbid evil!" 'Abdullah bin
Mas'oud replied: "You should rather say, 'what an awful end awaits someone
whose heart does not recognize truth, and who refuses to acknowledge what is
false when it is evidenced before him."
275-
Abu Yahya al-Razi
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, said: "In
this world, you will find that a disbeliever sometimes has a healthy body, and
yet his heart is most sick, while when you look at a believer, you will
discover that his heart is most healthy, and yet his body maybe emaciated. I
swear to Allah, that if you allow your hearts to grow up diseased while
steering your focus to build healthy bodies, then you will certainly become an
easier target of the divine retribution than a dung beetle who is unable to get
away from its food source."
276-
Abi al-Aswad quoted
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud to have said: "Our righteous predecessors have
departed, and those who remained are people of suspicious nature. They do not
accept the truth, nor do they repudiate falsehood."
277-
'Amru bnu Hafs narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud once admonished someone who asked for advise:
"Be content with what you have, be satisfied with your dwelling space to
accommodate your enterprise, restrain your tongue, and shed the tears of regret
regarding past sins you committed knowingly, and those you do not
recognize."
278-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazïd
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud once said to his companions: "You
fast, pray and study more than the companions of God's messenger yet, they are
better than you!" Someone in the gathering replied: "O Abu
'Abdu-Rahmân, why is that?" He replied: "Because they were less
attached to this world than you do, and they were more desirous of the
hereafter than you do."
279-
Al-'Alâ bin al-Musayyib
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud once said: "A believer finds no
comfort except in meeting his Lord, thus, should he experience such comfort, it
means that he has attained his goal."
280-
'Alqama narrated, re
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, that God's messenger once said to his companions:
""What will you do when a calamity will strike at you and people come
to adopt innovations, claiming them to be prophetic traditions, — innovations
the young will grow to practice as (though if they were prophetic traditions) sunna,
and the elders will die satisfied to have pietistically held unto them, — and
should one default in any of them, it will be said that he breached the sunna?"
The people inquired: "O messenger of Allah, when will that come to
happen?" He replied: "This will take place when your Qur'an readers
increase in number, and your truly learned ones decrease; when the number of
your leaders and princes (umaràf increases, and when your trustworthy ones
turn few; when worldly gains are sought via deeds which are supposed to be done
for the sake of the hereafter, and when people solicit to acquire religious
knowledge for worldly status and not for God's sake!" 'Abdullah then
added: "This is how you have turned out."
281-
Abi Haseen narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Should one of you wake up fasting, then let
him also abstain from causing harm to others; if you hand out a charity with
your right hand, then let your left hand not see it; and, when you offer
voluntary supererogatory prayers (nafl), do so in private."
282-
Abi al-Ahwas narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Entrust your faith to no man, for should
one believe, the other will follow, and should one deny, the other will
conform. However, if you find it necessary to emulate a good example, then take
heed and contemplate the dead, for a living person is not infallible to
straying."
283-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazïd
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud once said to a gathering of his companions:
"Do not become opportunists!" Someone asked: "What is an
opportunist?" Ibn Mas'oud replied: "It is someone who says: T am with
the majority, should they be right, then I will be right as well, and should
they go wrong, then I accept to suffer the consequences with them as well.'
" Ibn Mas'oud then added: "Thus, make a covenant with yourselves, and
train your souls to resist apostasy (fcw/ur) when the majority of people stray
away from their religious covenant."
284-
'Amru bnu Hafs narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Do not become opportunists!" People
asked: "What is an opportunist?" He replied: "That is to say, I
follow the masses, if they follow the true guidance, I win, and if they go
astray, that will be my fate as well. Therefore, promise yourselves, and train your
souls to resist apostasy (kufur) when the masses deny the truth or
renege on their religious covenant."
285-
Abi Ishaq narrated that
Ibn Mas'oud said: "Three things I testify to their authenticity, and the
fourth, should I swear by it, it will prove my trueness to my Lord! 1) Allah
does not grant equal footing to one who is committed to His religion of Islam
and one who does not; 2) One who depends on other than Allah in this world, He
will assign his care to someone else in the hereaftei£)3) One who loves the
fellowship of a particular group of people in this world will be gathered in
their company in the hereafter; and 4) the fourth oath that will prove my
trueness to my Lord is that whenever Allah chooses to veil the shortcomings of
His servant in this world, He will also veil them for him in the
hereafter."
286-
Abi al-Ahwas narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Let no man make his religious covenant
dependent on another man's performance and model. Should the second believe in
something, he conforms to the same conviction, and should the second man refute
something, he rebuts it as well. However, if one must follow a model, then let
him seek and contemplate the dead, for a living being is not immune to
temptation, and he is not infallible to going astray."
287-
Abi Wâ'il narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "On the Day of Judgment, none of you but will
wish that he ate mere leaves of shrubs to satisfy his hunger in this world. No
matter what condition a believer finds himself in when he wakes up in the morning,
or when he retires in the evening, as long as he does not have rancor. Surely
it will be better for you to chew on a live coal until it is smothered inside
your own mouth, rather than objecting to God's will, or to say about something
which Almighty Allah ordained, 'I wish it did not happen this way!' "
288-
'Ubaidullah narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "Your Lord knows no darkness of night or
daylight. The light of the heavens and the earth emanate from the effulgent
light (Noor) of His divine countenance. He created your days of perpetual
twelve hours, and the deeds of your preceding night are presented before Him
for His consideration in the first part of the following day, and He views them
during the first three hours. During the next three hours, the carriers of the
divine Throne ^nd its pavilions, the cherubs (al-karrubiyyoun) among His
most exalted angels, besides the remaining hosts of celestial angels and the
myriads of heavenly angels celebrate the praises of the Merciful Lord (Yâ
Rahman), until the divine luminesce permeate all of them with divine Mercy,
and then, the archangel Israfil blows once through the trumpet of the creation,
and no one in the entire universes can avoid hearing that (subliminal) sound.
This makes it six hours of your days. The wombs are then brought before Him,
and He looks into their needs for the next three hours. That is the meaning of
the revelation, 4 He it is that fashions you in the wombs of your mothers as He
chooses. He allots whichever womb He wants males, and He allots whichever womb
He wants females, or He may create twins, male and female, and He makes
whichever womb He wants barren > (Qur'an 3:6). Thus pass nine hours
(of your days). During the next three hours, your daily sustenance, and that of
the entire creation, is then brought before Him to apportion, and that is the
meaning of the revelation, 4 He expands and restricts the portions of whosoever He wants,
He surely knows everything > (Qur'an 42:12) - 4 Everyone in the heavens
and on earth asks Him, and every day He manifests distinct bounties > (Qur'an
55:29). 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud then added: "This is (how) your daily
hours are implemented in relationship to the work of your Lord."
289-
'Amru Bnu Thâbit narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said in one of his sermons: "Surely the most
truthful speech is that of the Qur'an, the Book of God Almighty; and the best
of covenants and bonds are an expression of piety; the best of persuasions is
that of Abraham, and the best of traditions are those of Muhammad upon whom be
peace; the most noble and exalted of speeches and conversations is to talk
about God Almighty; the best and most truthful of stories are told in the
Qur'an; the worth of a good deed will show at the end, and the most evil of
deeds are innovations; to have less of what satisfies one's needs is better
that to have aplenty one cannot compass or control; the worst self-blaming (nafsu
lawwâma) is sorrow when death comes to seize the person, and the worst grief
is to have regret on the Day of Judgment; the worst aberration is to stray from
God's path after receiving His guidance; true prosperity is to have
satisfaction and contentment; the best provision for the hereafter is piety;
the best grasp to capture one's heart is certitude and assurance of the
hereafter; suspicion is a branch of apostasy; the worst blindness is that of
the heart; wine is the source of every evil; the temptation about women is the
rope of Satan; teenage heralds the growing up of arrogance and folly; mourning
losses is a pagan act; some people come late to the Friday's congregational
prayers, dragging their feet, and they speak of God Almighty illusively. In
fact, to lie is the greatest sin; to insult a believer is an act of insolence;
and to fight a believer is apostasy. The sanctity of the property of a believer
is as sacred as his life; one who pardons the sins of others, Allah will
forgive him his sins, and one who swallows his anger, Allah will reward him;
one who forgives others, Allah will forgive him, and one who bears his
adversity, Allah will reward him aplenty. The most evil of earnings is money
made of usury and accumulation of interest; the worst of food is to eat up the
inheritance of the orphan. The luckiest of people is one who takes heed of the
reason behind others misfortunes; and the unlucky is thus conceived in the womb
of his mother. Sufficient for you is what satisfies your basic needs; surely
the lag of one's journey will culminate in a grave six linear feet long; one's
real goal will eventually be seen at the end, — and truth will surely manifest
at the end. The results of one's action will expose his initial intention; the
worst story is a lie; the best death is that of a martyr; one who knows the
value of adversities will bear them, and one who does not understand that will
question the reason behind them. Almighty Allah will surely bring an arrogant
person to humiliation. Whosoever vies to capture the world will reach a dead
end, and whosoever obeys Satan would have disobeyed God Almighty; and finally,
whosoever disobeys Almighty Allah will be punished in hell-fire."
Here we must cite the
name of another blessed champion among our peers, who was also one of the
prominent companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace. His name is 'Ammâr
Bin Yasir, and he was patronymed Abu'l Yaqzân. 'Ammâr, God be pleased with him,
was abounding with faith and sincerity, he was heedful of the hereafter with
assurance and clarity, and he was best enduring and serene during trials and
adversity. He bore with great patience the sufferings and physical torture to
which his persecutors had subjected him to endure, besides the emotional
agonies of humiliation, shame and disgrace they inflicted on him as they
leached their anger against his father and mother.
'Ammâr Bin Yasir, God be
pleased with him, was among the early cluster of young believers, and he was a
pillar among the blessed companions, a vanguard among the foremost believers in
God's message, and a loyal supporter of His messenger ££, upon whom be peace.
'Ammâr Bin Yâsir fought most courageously alongside God's messenger against the
tyranny and oppression of the incredulous clans of disbelievers, and he
continued his struggle against the aggressors and the unjust ones in defense of
the divine message in the times of the Trustworthy and Guided Successors (al-Khulafâ
al-Ràshideen).
Whenever 'Ammâr Bin
Yâsir, God be pleased with him, sought permission to visit God's messenger Í&,
upon whom be peace, he received him with cheerfulness, auspiciousness, and
welcome. God's messenger comforted him as well, offered him the glad tidings of
paradise, and he imbued his spirit with blessings and solace.
'Ammâr Bin Yâsir
renounced worldly comforts, and he gave no attention to possessing any of its
fineries. He was a humble companion who censured any personal feelings of
pride, and he curbed his mind against assuming any superciliousness or high-
mindedness. He exalted and honored the proponents of faith and the followers of
God Almighty's religion, and he resolutely and sincerely followed with utmost
loyalty the example and guidance of God's messenger the leader of the universal
order of peace, who was sent by his Lord, to invite humanity to receive eternal
spiritual comfort, and true knowledge of their Lord.
'Ammar Bin Yâsir fought
in the Battle of Badr.[V]
Later on, during the caliphate of Omar bin al-Khattâb, 'Ammar was appointed as
the amir (governor) of Küfa, in Iraq. In his letter to the people of
Küfa, Omar commended him, saying: "He was a true companion of God's
messenger In fact, 'Ammar Bin Yâsir was one of the four companions paradise
yearned to welcome. He labored hard on its roads, and he always longed to
attain it, and until he finally met his beloveds, Muhammad âi and his
companions.
A shaikh once said:
"Attaining perfect spiritual clarity is like trying to climb the
unsurmountable high walls of the Garden of Eden with the intention of
betrothing one of the houri virgins of paradise."
290-
On this subject, Abi
Ishaq narrated that Hâni' bin Hani' said: "We were visiting with 'Ali, God
bless his countenance, when 'Ammar Bin Yâsir entered the mosque, and 'Ali
welcomed him saying, 'Welcome to the good and blessed companion.' 'Ali then
added, 'I heard God's messenger ££ say that 'Ammâr is filled with faith down to
his bone marrow.' "
291-
Sa'id bin Jubair
narrated, re Ibn 'Abbâs, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger 4^, upon
whom be peace, said: " 'Ammâr is filled with faith from head to toe."
292-
Salim bin Abi al-Ja'ad
narrated that 'Uthmân bin 'Affân said: "I was treading in the plains of
Mecca when God's messenger
saw me, and he came and
took me by the hand, and we walked until we came by a group of Quraishi leaders
torturing 'Ammâr and his mother. God's messenger áfc exclaimed, 'O family of
Yâsir, endure what you are subjected to with patience, for surely paradise is
your ultimate destiny.' "
293-
Mujâhid reported that the
first group of believers who challenged the Quraishi ban on proclaiming faith
in God's oneness, and who declared their Islam (submission and acceptance to
God's message) in public, were originally seven people, namely: God's messenger
Abu Bakr, Khabâb, Suhayb, Bilal, 'Ammar bin Yasir, and Sumayyah, his mother. As
to God's messenger it was his uncle Abu Talib who warned him against the
consequences of openly declaring his message. Abu Bakr, and because of his high
sociàl rank in the community, he was merely contested by his clan, while the
other five people were subjected to awesome torture. Frequently, the Quraishi
disbelievers placed the blessed companions from among their slaves in the open
desert, and they fitted them naked with tight armatures made of iron, and to
intensify their agony, they were first placed for a long day under the sun,
exposed to the torrid heat of the desert and until their skin blistered because
of the sun-heated iron armature, and before they wi*$e subjected to physical
cruelties, in an attempt to force them to renounce their faith in God Almighty.
On that day, and shortly before sunset, Abu Jahl, God's curse be upon him, came
carrying a spear with which he poked his prisoners, rebuked them, and insulted
them angrily because of their belief in the/Oneness of God Almighty."
294-
Abi 'Ubaida Ibn Muhammad,
grandson of 'Ammar, said: "The polytheist pagans of Quraish took 'Ammar,
and they subjected him to awesome torture until they forced him to renege on
his faith, and they further forced him to insult the name of God's messenger
áfc, and to praise their deities. The Quraishis then released 'Ammar, but when
'Ammar went back to God's messenger áfc, he was troubled, and God's messenger
asked him, 'What happened?' He replied with tears in his eyes, 'An evil has
touched me! O messenger of Allah, they did not cease torturing me until I spoke
ill of you, and I had to praise their deities.' God's messenger áfc replied,
'How did you find your heart then?' 'Ammar replied, 'At peace with Almighty
Allah, and filled with faith and trust in Him.' God's messenger êfc replied,
'If they force you again, do what you have to do, and do not worry.' "
295-
Abi Umâma narrated that
some friends of 'Ammar bin Yasir asked him: "O Abu'l Yaqzân, tell us about
the three virtues you have, and about which God's messenger foretold of their
exalted merit, adding that 'Whoever has them, he has indeed perfected his
faith?' " 'Ammar replied: "Indeed, I heard him naming them, (1) 'To
spend generously in charity even when you have little; (2) to be just even if
it were against your personal interest; and (3) to greet all people with
Allah's peace.' ,Z1
296-
'Abdullah bin Salma
narrated that 'Ali, God bless his countenance, once met two people who had
anointed themselves with scented oils, as they were leaving a building after
taking a bath. 'Ali asked them: "Who are you?" They said: "Two
emigrants (to Allah from Mecca)," 'Ali replied: "That is not true,
the only true emigrant (to Allah) that I know of in this town is 'Ammar bin
Yasir."
297-
Maisara narrated that on
the day of the Battle of Siffeen, 'Ammar bin Yasir asked for a drink of milk.
After drinking it, he stood up and said: "I had heard God's messenger
during his last illness say, 'This is the last drink I take from this world.'
'Ammar then hastened towards the battlefield, and fought bravely and gallantly
against the pagans until he earned his martyrdom.
298-
In another narration, the
companion of God's messenger Æfc, Abi Sinân al-Du'li said: "On the day of
the Battle of Siffeen, 'Ammar bin Yasir asked for a cup of milk, he drank some
of it, and then said, 'God and His messenger spoke the truth. Today I shall
meet the beloveds, Muhammad and his companions.' He then added, T heard God's
messenger during his last illness say, 'This is the last drink I take from this
world.' 'Ammar bin Yasir then exclaimed, T swear by God Almighty, even if they
were to defeat us, and pursue us down to the outskirts of Mecca, we will always
know that we are following the truth, and that they are following falsity.'
"
299-
Abi Maleeh al-Ansari
reported that 'Ali bin Abi Tâlib said: "I once mentioned 'Ammar before
God's messenger ëÇ who commented, 'He will be with you when he will witness and
meet awesome events that will receive magnificent rewards from Almighty Allah.
People will always speak about these events with great reverence, and their
praiseworthiness will evermore speak for themselves.'"
1 i.e., To spread peace
everywhere by greeting all people with As-Salaamu 'Alaykum.
300-
'Abdullah, the son of
Omar bin al-Khattâb, said: "I know of no one who had left his home solely
for the sake of Allah's pleasure and seeking the abode of the hereafter to
attain the nearness of his Lord besides 'Ammar."
301-
Anas bin Malik narrated
that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Paradise yearns to meet
four people: 'Ammar, 'Aii, Salman, and al-Miqdad."
302-
Al-Hârith bin Suwayd
narrated that a man reported some damaging news about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir to the
caliph Omar bin al-Khattab, God be pleased with him. When the news reached 'Ammar,
he prayed: "My Lord, if this man is lying about me, then inflict him with
humiliation and inferiority and allow him access to wealth and temptation in
this world."
303-
Khalid bin Numair once
described 'Ammar, saying: "He was most quiet and self-absorbed. 'Ammar
spoke little, and often appeared grieved and distressed because of his long
physical sufferings. Whenever he spoke, he mostly beseeched Almighty Allah to
safeguard him against temptation in this world."
304-
'Abdullah bin
Abi'l-Huthayl narrated that when 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud built a new home, he met
'Ammar Ibn Yasir and said to him: "Come with me, let me show you what I
built!" When 'Ammar saw the new house, he commented: "Indeed, you
have erected a solid foundation, but you have overextended your confidence and
hope to attain a permanent future, and yet, your venture does not reflect how
short is one's domicile in this world, and how soon will one die!"
Among the early striving
believers in Allah's oneness and uniqueness, and the Lord, Creator, Cherisher
and Sustainer of the entire universe, and everything it embodies, we also must
learn about the faith and deeds of Khabâb Bnul Art, God be pleased with him,
patronymed Abu 'Abdullah. He was a maoulâ, a captured slave by the tribe
of Bani Zahra, and he was blessed with confronting crucial trials. Khabâb
suffered harrowing torture and persecution at the hands of the Meccan
polytheists, the pagans who worshipped multi deities they invented, and they
did so until polytheism was abolished from the Arabian peninsula by God's
leave.
Khabâb Bnul Art, God be
pleased with him, accepted Islam readily, and his Islam was true and sincere.
Upon his release from bondage, he migrated from Mecca to Madina in obedience to
God's messenger's orders, and he spent his entire life supporting the struggle
to defend God's message and His blessed messenger upon whom be peace.
Khabâb was most
lachrymose, and he was often seen alone, mourning and grieving with endless
crying because of the accumulated physical pain he suffered as a result of the
lasting cuts and burns inflicted on his body by his merciless torturers.
Khabâb was among the
early believers and émigrés who were forced out of their homes because of their
belief in Almighty Allah. Khabâb was a close and an honored companion of God's
messenger and he attended the believers' regular gatherings and study circles
at the prophet's mosque, which gatherings were led by the best of teachers,
God's messenger and the seal of His messengers and prophets, upon all of whom
be peace.
Khabâb was often seen
sitting alone, and he solicited solace in reading the revealed Qur'an, and in
celebrating God's praises (zikr) at the mosque.
305-
Muhammad bin Fudhayl
narrated that Kardous al- Ghatfâni said: "Khabâb was the sixth person to
embraced Islam, and he was one of the early companions who memorized the entire
Qur'an by heart."
306-
Also on this subject,
Sulaimân bin Ahmad narrated that Ma'adi Karb said: "We went to 'Abdullâh
bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, and we asked him to teach us Süra t'ul
Shu'ara (Qur'an, Chapter XXVI), he replied, 'I have not memorized it yet,
go to the one who learned it directly from God's messenger go to Abu 'Abdullâh,
Khabâb Bnul Art.
307-
Al-Sha'bi narrated that
Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, once asked Bilâl bin Rabâh to
tell him about the types of physical torture he was subjected to at the hands
of the Meccan polytheists during the early days of the message. When Bilal did
so, Khabâb looked at Omar and said, 'O Prince and Commander of the Believers,
look here and see the lasting marks on my back!' When Omar saw that, he
commented, 'I have never seen such inhumane thing until this day!' Khabâb then
said, 'They lit a fire, and nothing could smother it better than the fat
collected under my skin.'
308-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated that Khabâb Bnul Art, God be pleased with him, once said: "We
went to God's messenger -Ê&,[VI]
[VII]
and we found him laying in the shade of the sacred Ka'ba, covered with a
cloak (Arb. burdah), and we pleaded, 'O messenger of Allah, why wouldn't
you pray to Almighty Allah on our behalf, why wouldn't you ask Him to help us?'
God's messenger ££, immediately sat up, his face turned red, he pondered for a
moment, and said, 'Why are you so impetuous? I swear by God Almighty that in
past times, a man of faith would be brought by his torturers to a public
square, and they will apply a saw to split him in half in slow motion, from his
head down to his fundament, to force him to renege his faith, and nothing will dissuade
him or force him to refute the truth or deny his knowledge of Allah. Others,
also in former times, were subjected to a more afflictive form of torture,
where their skin was carded by a machine with rollers covered with peercing
iron spikes, moving to incise their skin from their nerves, in an effort by the
unbelievers to force them to deny God Almighty and to renege their faith, and
yet, they stood firm by their faith, consenting to the will of Allah. However,
Almighty Allah will surely evidence His supreme sovereignty, He will surely
establish His message in the land, and when such time comes, a traveler can
walk on foot from the city of San'a to the city of Hadramout in perfect safety,
fearing no one besides God Almighty, and guarding his sheep against a chasing
wolf, — and yet, in comparison to earlier times, today, you seem to want things
done right away.'"
309-
Abi Ishâq narrated that
Hâritha bin Mudhrab said: "One time, after the passing of God's messenger
££, we visited Khabâb Bnul Art on a day he was cauterized in seven areas of his
body to treat some festering wounds he had suffered earlier at the hands of his
torturers. When we inquired how he felt, he replied, 'Had God's messenger not
forbade us to wish for death, I would have wished for it right away!' Someone
asked Khabâb, 'Tell us something about the early days in Islam, about your
fellowship with God's messenger upon whom be peace, and how was it like to
visit with him?' "
In the course of his
talk, Khabâb, God be pleased with him, said: "... I know of no one who was
subjected to unbearably painful and harrowing physical torture, yielding
permanent injury, such as those I sustained." Furthermore, during slavery,
I was so poor and there was a time when I did not even have a decent rag to put
on me to go to see him, and by contrast, here I am today, sitting on forty
thousand Dirham, laying somewhere in this house."
Khabâb then asked for his
burial shroud, and when he saw it and held it in his hand, he embraced it and
wept over it. When he recouped, Khabâb resumed: "When Hamza was killed, we
couldn't find more than a begrimed scanty piece of an old cloak to shroud him
with, and which when we pulled up to cover his head, it became short of
covering his feet, and when we stretch it down to his fee, it exposed his head.
Finally, we laid it down as it was to cover his head, and we then covered his
feet with some branches of Meccan ginger grass." (Arb. Athkhar)
310-
Shaqïq bin Salma narrated
that during another call to cauterization, Khabâb once pointed out to a coffer
that laid in, a corner of his room, and he said to his guests: "There are
eighty thousand Dirhams in that coffer,[VIII]
I have never locked it, and I have never tied them up, or prevented anyone who
asks for money from taking anything he needed." Shaqïq bin Salma then
said: "Khabâb pondered for a moment and he wept, and we all wept with him.
When we inquired about what made him weep, he replied, 'My companions have all
gone, and they have missed nothing in this world. Meanwhile, here we are after
them, and despite all what we have collected in this world, we will find
nothing but dirt to cover this wherewithal. — I wish this was a herd of cattle,
or some other consumable provisions.' "
In another narration
of this episode, Qays bin Muslim narrated that Khabâb said: "Some good
people have left this world before us, and they took nothing of it with them,
and here we remained after them, having collected some vain wherewithal we do
not know what to do with except burying it. You must know that a Muslim will be
rewarded for everything he spends during his lifetime on God's path, except for
what he leaves behind him to his heirs."
311-
Qays bin Muslim also
narrated that Tariq bin Shahâb said: "Some of the remaining companions of
God's messenger âî visited Khabâb during his last illness, and when they found
him suffering the pangs of his last agony of death, one of the visitors said,
'Cheer O Abu 'Abdullah, here are your friends, and tomorrow you will be
reunited with your beloved brothers!' Khabâb immediately wept and commented, T
am not afraid of death. You have just reminded me of my early companions, and
you have named some people you called them my brothers! The people you have
mentioned have left this world, and they have already received their reward. I
am only afraid that our dividend be as little as the comfort they struggled to
leave for us, and which we have m.joyed in this world since they departed.'
"
Abi Sa'id
al-Azdi narrat, that Khabâb Bnul Art, God be pleased with him, once spoke abt
rt the early days of Islam,1 in Madina, and said: "One time, a
groi of highborn Meccan Arabs from among the unbelievers, including al-Aqra'a
bnu Hâbis al- Tamïmi and 'Uyaina bnu Husn al-Farâzi, came to meet with God's
messenger âj to inquire about his message. When they found him sitting with a
group of poor and defenseless Muslims, among some of the slaves they earlier
owned, including, 'Ammâr, Suhayb, Bilâl, and my self. The Meccans showed
disdain towards us, for they saw people they considered of a lower class, and
in their mind, they did not consider the blessed companions suitable to sit in
their social gatherings. The Meccans scorned us, rebuked us, and pointed out
that we should leave immediately. Eventually, the believers gave way, and we
moved to a remote corner of the mosque, in order to permit the desired private
meeting to take place, and to avoid greater
repercussions. One of the Meccans then spoke
arrogantly to God's messenger he said: "You see, we would like to sit down
and talk with you, but as you know, some delegations of reputable Arab tribes
and their leaders also come to meet with you, and we somehow feel shame if they
should find us sitting together with these slaves. Therefore, we want you to
ask these slaves for some leave when we come to see you."
God's messenger ££
quietly replied: "Let it be so!" Immediately, when the Meccans
thought that their demand maybe attainable, they further demanded: "Then
write a pact to that effect between us and you." Hence, in his prophetic
wisdom,[IX]
God's messenger asked 'Ali, God bless his countenance, to bring some paper to
write on.
Khabâb continued:
"While we were sitting withdrawn, the archangel Gabriel descended upon
God's messenger áfc with the Qur'anic revelation, 4 Do not dismiss those who
call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His presence. You are not
accountable for their actions, nor are they accountable for your actions.
Therefore, should you censure them, you would have committed a wrongdoing. In such
a way, We try some with (uneasiness towards) others, that they may say1
(skeptically), 'Are these the people whom Allah chose to favor over us?' Alas,
is Allah not aware of those who are truly thankful?' Therefore, when those who
believe in our revelation come to see you, say: "Peace be on you, your
Lord has made mercy His benevolent act. Thus, whoever commits a wrongdoing in
ignorance, and then repents, and amends his conduct, or makes reparation, then
surely your Lord is oft-forgiving, and most Merciful. >" (Qur’an
6:52-54).
"Upon receiving this
revelation, God's messenger áfc immediately threw away the paper, and he called
for us. When we arrived and sat by his side, he welcomed us cheerfully with the
blessed greeting, 'Peace be upon you, Peace be upon you.' Thus, we happily drew
up closer and nestled by him, and we blithesomely sat só tightly close to him
to the point that our knees touched his
knees. From that day on,
God's messenger regularly joined our circles, and when he needed to attend to
his other duties, he left us.
Later on, God Almighty
revealed His further guidance to His messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, saying:
< Apply yourself with patience to remain in the company of those who call
upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking (to be in) His presence. Keep them
continuously under your constant watch, and do not let your focus dither beyond
their circle, or solicit (the company of those who seek) the pump and glitter
of this lower life (form); Nor obey anyone whose heart We have veiled and
caused to forget to remember Us. Those who follow their own whims and desires,
and whose condition has degenerated to the point that it can only bring about
their ultimate loss, and whose case is already proscribed... > (Qur'an
18:28);"
Khabâb Bnul Art
continued, 'Since that day, whenever God's messenger ££ sat with us at the
mosque, he did not leave us, and when we recognized the time he usually
attended to his other duties, we asked for leave. Otherwise, he would remain
indefinitely patient until the last one of us have left."
314-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Zaid bin Wahab said: "We were with 'Ali, God bless his countenance, on his
way back from the Battle of Siffeen, and when we reached the gates of the city
of Küfa, he passed by seven graves. 'Ali inquired, 'Who do these graves belong
to?' We replied, 'O Prince of the Believers, Khabâb died after you have left to
Siffeen, and he had previously asked to be buried in the outskirts of Küfa.'
'Ali, God bless his countenance, commented, 'May God's mercy be upon Khabâb,
for he willingly and readily embraced Islam. He migrated in obedience to God's
messenger's orders, he lived to defend the truth, and his body sustained
insufferable torture because of his faith. Surely Allah will not dismiss the
efforts of those who do righteous deeds.' 'Ali then added, 'Blessed is he who
constantly remembers the Promised Hour, who recognizes that his commerce is
bound for reckoning, and whose work is consecrated accordingly, who is content
with the basic necessities, and who is pleased with his Lord.' "
Also among the blessed
companions was we must cite the name of Bilàl bin Rabâh, the devout and
oft-forgiving sire, who was free from abstractness or illusion about this
world. Born to a woman in bondage called Rabâh, Bilal became free from slavery
at the hand of Abu Bakr al-Siddïq, God be pleased with him, the truthful and
benevolent, the trustworthy and blessed bosom friend of God's messenger Ofr,
upon whom be peace.
Bilal had an exceptional
noble character. He taught the believers who suffered at the hands of the
pagans great lessons in faith and piety through his endurance and
steadfastness. In fact, throughout his life, and even to this day, Bilàl always
remains a school of piety and a great source of inspiration and spirituality
for all Muslims, Bilal was a pioneer among the early believers, and he was a
tenderhearted loving man of Allah, and he placed his entire trust in Almighty
Allah, depended solely on Him for all his needs, and finally, he was most
trusted by God's messenger upon whom be peace.
315-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi
narrated that Omar bin al-Khattab, God be pleased with him, said: "Abu
Bakr is our sire, and he freed our second sire from bondage."[X]
316-
Zaid bin al-Arqam
narrated that God's messenger ££ said: "Bilàl is a most blessed man, and
he is the sire of the callers to prayers."
317-
Hishâm bin 'Urwa, the son
of al-Zubair, narrated that Waraqa bin Nawfal once passed by Bilàl during his
bondage while he was being tortured. When Waraqa saw the bitter torture
dispensed to Bilal, he became alarmed, and he went to Umayya bin Khalaf,
Bilal's master then, and addressed him, saying: "I swear by Almighty
Allah, should he die because of your torture, I will make his case a reason for
my relentless wrath upon you all."
318-
Hishâm bin 'Urwa
continued: "One day, Abu Bakr al- Siddïq, God be pleased with him, passed
by Umayya bin Khalaf and his ring as they were torturing Bilal to force him to
renege his faith. With every blow he received, Bilàl, gasped for air as he
cried loud from his harrowing pain: "Ahadun
Ahad! Ahadun Ahad!" (There is only one God, and only He is Allah!)
When Abu Bakr saw that, he addressed Umayya bin Khalaf, saying: "Why
wouldn't you try to be smarter and guard yourself against the wrath of Almighty
Allah? For how long will you keep subjecting this poor man to such unbearable
torture, don't you fear God Almighty?" Umayya replied angrily: "You
are the cause that turned this salve rotten, and now, redeem him if you can
afford it!"[XI]
Abu Bakr replied: "I will. Listen, I have a slave who is stronger and
wieldier than he, and he follows your religion as well. If you want, I will
trade him for this man." Umayya instantly answered: "I accept."
Hence, Abu Bakr traded
his salve for Bilal, and he freed Bilal from bondage. It is also narrated that
prior to his migration from Mecca to Madina, Abu Bakr also bought additional
six slaves who had secretly embraced Islam, and he freed them from bondage, and
Bilal was their seventh.
319-
Muhammad Bin Ishaq
narrated that Bilal was born to a slave woman belonging to the Arab Tribe of
Bani Jamh, a woman prisoner (Arb. mawali) they captured during a tribal
feud, and they turned her into a slave. Her name was Rabâh, and she begot a son
whom she named Bilal, and a highborn from among the Meccans named Umayya bin
Khalaf, bought Bilal.
In Mecca, Bilal knew
God's messenger upon whom be peace, and he became Muslim from the early days of
hearing about the divine message, and his Islam proved to be true and sincere.
Bilal had a pure heart and noble qualities, he readily accepted God's message,
proclaiming the divine Oneness, and he wholeheartedly followed the guidance of
His messenger upon whom be peace. When Umayya learned that his slave had
embraced Islam, he became outraged, and he inflicted upon him all kinds of
torture, including, exposing him unclothed to the heat of the midday desert
sun, and then placing a giant sun-heated rock on his chest. Other slaves would
carry out Bilal's torture to force him to renege his faith. Bilal would be
gasping for air, as he cried loud from his agonizing pain: "Ahadun
Ahad! Ahadun Ahad!" (There is only one God, and only He is God!).
Every day, Umayya, in his exasperation, would personally administer the
castigation of his slave, and seeing Bilal suffering in agony under the giant
sun-heated rock, Umayya would scourge him, saying: "You will keep
suffering until either you die, or you refute what Muhammad brought and return
to worship our idols Lût and Uzzahl" Despite his ordeal and
harrowing pain, Bilal, who had testified that lordship belongs solely to God
Almighty, would keep on crying loud: “Ahadun Ahad! Ahadun Ahad!"
(There is only one God, and only He is Allah!)
320-
'Àsim narrated that
'Abdullah said: "The first people to declare their Islam in public were
seven, and their Islam was immediately challenged, and ferociously fought by
their clan. These were, God's messenger, upon whom be peace, Abu Bakr, 'Ammar,
his mother Sumayyah, Suhayb, Bilal, and al-Miqdàd. Some of them and mostly the
slaves among others who were considered of lower class, suffered immense
cruelties and harrowing physical torture because of their faith in the Oneness
of God Almighty. God's messenger was admonished by his uncle Abu Tàlib who warned
him against declaring his message in public, and he asked him to hide his
knowledge of God Almighty. Also Abu Bakr was warned vehemently by his clan, and
as for the other five, they were picked up by the polytheists, their patrons
then, and they were fitted daily with tight armatures made of iron, with
nothing under them, as they were placed under the scorching heat of the sun,
exposed all day long to the torrid heat of the desert, and until the metal
armatures became extremelv hot and their skin blistered with sores before thev J J
lashed them with every
kind of torture, to force them to renege their faith.
Under torture, many who
were not killed during their ordeal were forced to confessed to what the pagans
and polytheists wanted, except for Bilal. He deemed his life to be of meager
worth besides the reality of God Almighty, and he regarded his sacrifices to be
of no worth in comparison with meeting God's pleasure by holding to his faith
and knowledge of His Oneness. As a last recourse, the polytheist pagans of
Mecca gave up on Bilal, and they delivered him to the hands of their teenage
boys, among some other mutant youth, who tied him, beat him up, abused him, and
dragged him half naked through the plains of Mecca, before they lashed their
frustration at him, and took pleasure in beating and stoning him, while Bilal
kept on exclaiming, 'Ahadutt Ahad! Ahadun Ahad!" (There is
One and only God, and only He is Allah!)
321-
'Abdullah al-Howzani
narrated: "I once met Bilal and asked him, 'Tel me about God's messenger's
spending habits!" Bilal replied, 'He had nothing! I was the keeper of his
expenditure from the time Almighty Allah sent him and until he passed. For
example, when he found someone in need of clothing, he would ask me to take
care of him, and I would go out and borrow some money to cloth him and to feed
him.' "
322-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated, re 'Abdullah, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once visited
the house of Bilal, and he found there a cluster of dried dates hanging down
from the ceiling. God's messenger then turned to Bilal with astonishment and
said: "O Bilal! What is this?" Bilal humbly replied: "O
messenger of Allah, I have only kept them to welcome you should you ever visit
me!" God's messenger then said: "Are you not afraid to grumble
against me in hell fire? Spend O Bilal, spend generously, and do not fear any
restrictions to your needs, nor limit the generosity of the sole Provider, the
Lord of the divine Throne."
323-
Abi Sa'id al-Khidri
reported that God's messenger upon whom be peace once said to Bilal, 'O Bilal,
strive to die poor, and do not die rich." Bilal became perplexed as he
replied: "O Messenger of Allah, how do I do that?" God's messenger ëè
answered: "Do not store away for later what comes, and never refuse to
give when asked." Bilal became more puzzled as he further inquired:
"O messenger of Allah, tell me, how can I do that?" God's messenger
££, upon whom be peace, then replied, "Do what I say, or it will be
hell."
324-
Anas bin Malik narrated
that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "I was persecuted in Allah
to a degree that caused me great fear which no one has ever suffered, and I was
injured on Allah's path to a degree that no one has ever experienced. At one
time, I endured thirty nights and days where neither me nor Bilal had anything
to eat except a tiny scrap of food that could have been hidden under Bilal's
armpit."
325-
Jabir narrated that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, said: "I saw myself entering paradise, and
suddenly I heard the sound of some steps preceding me, and yet, I could not
perceive no one there. I asked, 'O Gabriel, who is that?' He replied, 'It is
Bilal!' "
326-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"While visiting paradise, I heard the sound of steps preceding me. I
inquired about it, and I was told, 'It is Bilal. Tell him.' "
After narrating this
story to his companions, God's messenger ■££ asked Bilal: "Tell me how did
you arrive at entering paradise before me?" Bilal pondered for a moment,
and he replied: "O messenger of Allah, perhaps it is because I mostly
remain abluted. Whenever I become aware of losing the state of ritual purity, I
immediately renew my ablution, and when I do, I always feel that as an
expression of gratitude, I must offer Almighty Allah, the most Exalted, a
thanksgiving prayer of two rak'ât."
327-
Abu Mu'âwiya narrated
that Qayss said: "Abu Bakr bought Bilal's freedom, and he paid Umayya bin
Khalaf, Bilal's former master, five okes of gold.[XII]
As soon as Bilal came out of slavery from under Umayya, he said to Abu Bakr,
'If you have released me from bondage for God's pleasure, then set me free to
serve Him, but if you have bought me as a slave, then let me serve you?' Abu
Bakr immediately wept and said, 'Indeed, I have bought you to free you from
bondage. You are a free man. Go and serve Allah, the most exalted.' "
328-
Ibn al-Mubàrak narrated
that Sa'ïd Ibn al-Musayyib said: "During the caliphate of Abu Bakr, God be
pleased with him, Bilal prepared himself to join a campaign headed for Syria.
When Abu Bakr saw him equipped and geared for departure; and in his gentle
heart and soft nature, he said to Bilâlz 'O Bilâl! I did not think
that you would leave us under such circumstances. I wish you would stay here
with us, and help us during these difficult times!'
Bilâl replied: "If
you had released me from bondage for the pleasure of Allah the most exalted,
then let me go to Him, but if you had bought me for your own needs, then keep
me."
Abu Bakr immediately gave
Bilal permission to leave, and hence, Bilal joined the campaign to Syria, where
he then lived the balance of his life."
Bilal died in Damascus,
and he was buried near the central mosque, nowadays known as the Omayyad
mosque.
21-
Suhayb Bin Sanân Bin Mâlik
Among our peers also
comes the name of one of the leading believers called Suhayb Bin Sanân Bin
Mâlik, God be pleased with him. He joined the early group of émigrés from Mecca
to Abyssinia, in East Africa, and he was a successful merchant as well. Suhayb
spent his wealth generously on God's path, while he limited his personal
indulgences in worldly comforts, and observed a firm restraint regarding his
own comfort and satisfaction. Suhayb, God be pleased with him, was a most
generous man, and he happily, and without any hesitation, fed whoever he could
invite to share his meals. He also understood the meaning of the divine message
with wisdom, he observed his religious duties with clarity, and in fact, his
entire being was engrossed in the knowledge revealed by Almighty Allah, and
with God's help and guidance, Suhayb hastened from early on to answer the call
of God's messenger upon whom be peace, and to defend the divine revealed truth.
It is said that spiritual
clarity means to track the source, to search thoroughly, and to investigate
one's path before taking any steps forward. Spiritual clarity also means to
abstain from prying, to make an effort, and to take the necessary steps to
attain one's sublime goal of dwelling eternally in the august abode of nearness
to one's Lord and Creator.
329-
Muhammad bin Hassan
al-Makhzoumi narrated that Suhayb once described the fidelity of his fellowship
with God's messenger áfc, saying: "I never abstained from a spectacle of
chivalry and martyrdom whenever God's messenger S&, upon whom be peace, was
there; and I was always present whenever someone accepted Islam with him. I
never missed a campaign he led, and I was always at his right and left sides
whenever the enemy charged against the believers. In the battlefield, whenever
the first lines of believers became bewildered with the awesomeness of the
battle, I was there to lead them back to the front lines, and I encouraged them
to stand firm in the face of their enemy. On the other hand, whenever their
back lines were struck with hesitation or inaction, I stood behind them to
encourage them to go forward. Also in the battlefield, I mostly achieved to
fight in the front line, in-between God's messenger Si, upon whom be
peace, and the enemy, and I remained thus until he passed."
330-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib
narrated that when Suhayb Bin Sanan Bin Malik migrated from Mecca to Madina to
join God's messenger upon whom be peace, a band of Quraishi people concocted a
foul play, and they chased him in an effort to challenge his purpose, and to prevent
him from joining the ever-growing number of believers, who were gathering in
the North, in Madina. When Suhayb found out that he was pursued, and as he
recognized their intent, he turned towards them, and he descended his horse,
pulled out an arrow, and stretched his bow and aimed at them, and with a loud
voice, Suhayb shouted with a fierce voice: "O gang of Quraishi people! You
know well that I am the most accurate archer among you. Let Allah be my witness
that should you advance any further towards me, I will not let you come a step
closer until I have emptied my quiver off its arrows to let you lie where my
arrows hit you, and whoever survives them, I will unsheath my sword and fight
whoever can sustain its blows."
Suhayb then
added: "Listen to me! Do what you think is best. If you wish to let me
continue on my way, I will tell you where did I hide my monies and personal
belongings back in Mecca." When the Quraishi people consented to his
second proposal, Suhayb told them whereabouts he hid his belongings, and they
left him to pursue his journey.
As soon as
Suhayb arrived to Madina, he told the story to God's messenger Si, who
rejoiced and exclaimed: "You won the barter O Abu Yahya, you won the
barter O Abu Yahya!"
Following that
episode, God Almighty praised His servant Suhayb, among others, when He
revealed the Qur'anic verse, saying: 4 And among the people are
those who purchase the freedom of their souls for the sake of God's pleasure
> (Qur'an 2:207).
331 - According to the
narration of Haseen bin Huthaifa, Suhayb also .told his story to some
companions, adding: "When I reached Madina, God's messenger was still
praying at the mosque of Qiba, and when he completed his prayers and upon
seeing me, he greeted me with a smile, saying, 'O Abu Yahya, you have won the
barter, you have won the barter!' I became amazed as I said, 'O messenger of
Allah, no one could have reached here before me to tell you what happened!
Surely, only the arch angel Gabriel, upon whom be peace, could have desponded
upon you, and told you what happened.' "
332-
According to the
narration of Ziyad bin Safiyy bin Suhayb, he said that when Suhayb arrived at
the mosque of Qiba, Abu Bakr came out to greet him, and he announced to him the
Qur'anic revelation, saying: 4 Among the people are those who purchase (the
freedom of) their souls for the sake of God's pleasure > (Qur'an 2:207). Abu
Bakr then took Suhayb by the hand, and brought him to God's messenger ájj, who
greeted him saying: "O Abu Yahya, you have won the barter, you have surely
won the barter!"
Suhayb was a most
generous man, and he fed anyone he could invite to his table.
333-
On this subject,
'Abdullah bin Omar narrated that Suhayb, God be pleased with both of them,
quoted God's messenger during one of his sermons, to have said: "Paradise
can only be entered by someone who generously spends his money right and left
on God's path."
334-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin 'Aqïl narrated that prior to birth of Suhayb's first son Hamza, Omar bin
al-Khattab, God be pleased with him, said to him: "O Suhayb! You call
yourself Abu Yahya (the father of Yahya), although you do not have a
son; and you call yourself an Arab, although you have come to us from among the
Romans." Suhayb replied: "O Prince of the Believers, as to my surname
Abu Yahya, it was God's messenger who called me thus; and as to my ancestral
roots, I was born to an Arab man called al- Nimr -bin Qâsit. During my
childhood, I lived in Mosul, Iraq, and one day, I was taken as a prisoner of
war, and then, I was sold as a slave, but today, I do know my roots."
335-
The same account is also
narrated by Zuhair, re 'Abdullah bin Muhammad, son of 'Aqïl, who described
Suhayb, God be pleased with him, saying: "He was most generous, and he
increasingly sought and invited guests to share his food, and moreover, he used
to regularly distribute food to the poor and the needy, as well as he was a
great host, and he honored his guests and presented them with elaborate ipeals.
Omar bin al-Khattâb, God
be pleased with him, once said to Suhayb: "O Suhayb, you spend a lot of
money on food, and such spending may be called isràf (wasting
money)?" Suhayb replied: "God's messenger used to say, 'The best
among you are those who share their food, and who return the salutation when
greeted,' and in pursuing that sunna tradition, I distribute my money
and share my food."
336-
In another narration of
the above incident, although somehow different, Yahya bin 'Abdu-Rahmân bin
Hâtib narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb once said to Suhayb, God be pleased
with both of them: "I have only observed three comments about your Islam:
1) You call yourself Abu Yahya, although Almighty Allah have said
concerning His prophet Yahya, the son of God's prophet Zacharia, < We gave
that name to no one before him > (Qur’an 19:7); 2) you get hold of
nothing that you do not give away without hesitation; and 3) your father's name
is al-Nimr bin Qâsit, although you belong to the early group of émigrés, whom
Allah blessed."
Suhayb replied: "As
to my patronym Abu Yahya, indeed, it was God's messenger who surnamed me thus;
as to my habit of happily distributing whatever I get hold of without
hesitation, indeed Almighty Allah have said, < Whatever you spend, He
replaces it for you, and surely Allah is the best of providers > (Qur'an
34:39); and finally, as to my lineage, you know that the Arabs use to sell
whosoever they captured as a prisoner of war as slaves. One day, during a
tribal feud, I was a young boy when an Arab tribe captured me, and they sold me
as a slave in the countryside of Küfa, Iraq, and I grew up speaking their
tongue. Therefore, no matter who is my father, I will always be called by his
name."
337-
Abi al-Salïl narrated
that Suhayb, God be pleased with him, said: "I once prepared some food and
intended to invite God's messenger £& to partake from it. When I went to
invite him, I found him sitting in the mosque talking to a group of people, so
I went over and sat close to him, and I discretely signaled out my intention,
inviting him to eat. God's messenger looked at me, and in turn, he made a
gesture, signaling, 'And those people!' I further communicated, 'No!' When
God's messenger & remained silent, I stood up to leave, and when our eyes
met again, I made another gesture inviting him to eat, but he further made
another sign, meaning, 'And what about those people!' Hence, our eye-to-eye
verbatim lasted for a short while, and finally, on the third time, I consented,
'And those people of course.' In fact, it was only a little food I had prepared
for him, but when they came, they all ate their fill, and miraculously, when
they left, there remained some leftover food we kept for later."
338-
Suhayb Bin Sanan narrated
that he heard God's messenger èè say: "If a man marries a woman and
promises to give her a fixed dower, although he has no intention to fulfill his
prenuptial agreement, thus, he would have deceived her by using an oath in the
Name of God Almighty, and he would have falsely claimed her as his lawful wife,
and he would not have complied with the laws governing the consummation of the
sacrament of marriage, and therefore, on the Day of Reckoning, when he stands
before his Lord for judgment, he will be found guilty of adultery. Likewise, if
a man borrows some money and promises to repay it, although he has no such
intention, he would have used the Name of Allah to deceived the lender, and he
would have taken for lawful what does not belong to him, and therefore, when he
stands for judgment before Almighty Allah on the Day of Reckoning, he will be
found guilty of theft."
339-
Suhayb Bin Sanan, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger ifc, upon whom be peace, once
recited the Q'.r'anic verse 4 Those who perform well, their good deeds will
receive a reward of a better recognition, and more... > (Qur'an 10:26), and
he commented: "When the dwellers of paradise enter it, a caller will
announce, 'O people of paradise, there remains a promise, your
Lord wants to fulfill!'
The people will reply with astonishment, 'What ' else is there? Has He not
cleared our reputation, brightened out faces, increased the weight of our deeds
in the records, and permitted us into paradise?' The callers will reiterate
their announcement thrice, and then, Almighty Allah will manifest His divine presence,
and the dwellers of paradise will gaze upon His divine countenance, and His
glorious presence will be more magnificent and satisfying than everything they
received."
340-
Suhayb Bin Sanan, God be
pleased with, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once prayed:
"Lord, Thou art not a god who is produced by our imagination, nor a lord
we invented. Indeed, there has never been a god that we solicited besides Thee,
nor do we ever neglected to call upon Thee, and surely no one has ever helped
Thee to create us so that we would claim him as Thy associate. Blessed Thou
art, and most exalted is Thy Holy Name."
341-
'Amru bnul Haseen
narrated that Ka'ab-ul Ahbâr, God be pleased with him, also had narrated the
above tradition, adding: "God's prophet David, upon whom be peace, also
called upon God Almighty with the same prayer." ibid.
342-
'Amru Bnu Mâlik al-Râsibi
quoted the above prophetic prayer as follows: "Lord, Thou art not a god
whom our imagination had produced, nor a lord we invented. Indeed, Thou art the
Lord Whose remembrance cannot be abolished, and there has never been a god that
we solicited or implored besides Thee, nor did we ever neglect to call upon
Thee. Surely no one had ever helped Thee to create us so that we would develop
doubt about Thee. Blessed Thou art, and most exalted is Thy Holy Name."
343-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Abi
Laila narrated that Suhayb, God be pleased with him, said: "We once prayed
behind God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and
when he concluded the prayers, he turned towards us with a smile, and he said,
'Why wouldn't you ask me about the reason behind my smiling?' The people humbly
replied, 'Surely Allah and His messenger know best!' He continued, T pondered
with wonderment upon Allah's judgment towards the Muslims amongst His creation,
and it made me extremely happy to realize that no matter what godsend fate
awaits a Muslim, it would ultimately prove to be most beneficial, while the
just fate of no one else ever measures up to the reward that await one who
accepts Allah's message of Islam, — (z.e., a Muslim.)' "
344-
Al-Haseen Bin Huthaifa
narrated, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "The émigrés are
the forerunners,
and they are the
intercessors whose mediation is most accepted by Almighty Allah. They are the
harbingers and the preachers who invite the creation to recognize its Lord. I
swear by Him Who holds the destiny of my soul, that they will rise on the Day
of Reckoning, having only their weapons to carry, and when they knock on the
door of paradise, its custodians will inquire, 'Who are you?' They will reply,
'The émigrés.' The custodians of paradise will further inquire, 'Did you pass
through your judgment?' Immediately, the émigrés will kneel down and scatter
into the open the contents of their quivers, and they will turn towards
Almighty Allah, and raise their hands, praying, and imploring Him, 'Lord, would
Thou judge us regarding what we are carrying? Thou knowest best that we have
renounced the comfort of our monies, families, and homes solely for Thy sake!'
"
"As soon as they
complete their prayer, Almighty Allah will provide them with golden wings
studded with chrysolites and sapphires, and they will use them to soar towards
paradise."
God's messenger
continued: "That is the meaning of their prayer, < All praises be to
Allah, Who dispelled our sorrow and grief. Surely our Lord is oft-forgiving,
and He is the most bountiful. He, out of His mercy and favor upon us, has
lodged us in eternal mansions of comfort, wherein, neither toil nor weariness
can affect us > (Qur'an 35:34-35)."
345-
Suhayb Bin Sanan, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, also spoke
in reference to above prophetic tradition, adding: "They will recognize
their assigned dwellings and stations in the heavenly paradise better than
those they had in this world."
Among our peers, there is
also the devoted ascetic, the oft- imploring at night, the one who lived a
monastic life, who was the fourth to embrace Islam, and who refused to concede
to the arts of divination, or the practices of occult science, even before the
laws and rules of Islam were revealed. His name is Abu Tharr Al-Ghafâri, God be
pleased with him.
Abu Tharr knew the
monotheistic life of Islam some years before the message was revealed. He spent
few years in devotion and prayers to Almighty Allah, he worshiped no man-made
god, and he never associated any partner with God Almighty. Abu Tharr also was
the first to greet God's messenger áfc with the regards of Islam, saying, As-Salaamu
'Alaikum (Peace be upon you), even before this formula was ordained by God
Almighty as the greeting of Muslims among themselves.
Abu Tharr was not a man
to be dissuaded from speaking the truth even if that would bring blame and
censure upon him, and he never feared the tyranny of an unjust ruler, or was he
ever discouraged by such encounters.
Abu Tharr was the first
to speak about the knowledge of eternal life and the quality and purpose behind
one's permanent being in the life to come. In the process of defending his
earlier beliefs, and later on his faith, and even before accepting the divine
message of Islam, Abu Tharr suffered awesome trials, persecution and
adversities, and later on as well, he held to an unyielding resoluteness to his
promise and covenant with God's messenger upon whom be peace. He bore his
calamities and losses with unequaled patience, and later on, near the end of
his life, Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, withdrew from the society until
he was seized by the eventual and inevitable common destiny of all the
creation.
Abu Tharr, God be pleased
with him, lived in a modest house close to God's messenger and he often
personally served him. He also learned from him the correct protocols of
thinking and of conducting one's life in this world, how to reform one's
character in a way that pleases Almighty Allah, and he also learned from him
how to eliminate impertinent curiosity and prying on other's business.
346-
'Abdullah bin àl-Sâmit
narrated that his uncle Abu Tharr Al-Ghafâri once said to him: "My dear
nephew, I observed the regular daily prayers for nearly four years before Islam
was proclaimed." 'Abdullah inquired: "Who did you worship?" He replied:
"The Lord of the heavens!" 'Abdullah asked: "To what direction
did you turn to pray?" Abu Tharr replied: "I turned to whichever
direction Almighty Allah disposed me."
347-
In another narration of
the above account, Sulaimân bin al-Mughira narrated that Abu Tharr told his
nephew 'Abdullah bin al-Samit: "My dear nephew, I prayed regularly for
over three years even before I met God's messenger upon whom be peace."
'Abdullah asked: "You prayed to whom?" Abu Tharr replied: "To
Almighty Allah of course!" 'Abdullah further inquired: "To what
direction did you turn to pray?" Abu Tharr replied: "Wherever
Almighty Allah directed me. I regularly prayed the nightly Isha prayer,
and then, I stayed up praying until suhur, before dawn, and mostly, I
found it necessary to remain in prayers until I was blanketed with the
sunlight, and until I had to take cover in the shade."
348-
Abu Laila al-Ash'ari
narrated that Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri, God be pleased with him, said: "We
once suffered a couple of years of drought that affected our living conditions
badly; hence, my mother felt it necessary to travel with me and my brother
Anees to visit her brother and some of our in-laws who lived in the northern
plateau of Najd. There we stayed as their guests, and my uncle was extremely
happy to have us, and he treated us most generously. One day, someone went to
my uncle and claimed that my younger brother Anees is flirting with one of the
girls in his family. My uncle felt extremely hurt and he withdrew to himself
that day. When I came from herding the family sheep, I sought my uncle, and I
found him sitting alone, sad, and crying. I asked him: "My dear uncle,
what is hurting you?" And when he told me what he heard, I realized that
these were false charges prompted by a jealous person, and I said to him:
"O my dear uncle, God forbid that we commit such inequity. We are people
who guard their chastity and honor, and had we not suffered adverse
circumstances, we would not have left our homes and traveled this far."
349-
According to the
narration of Sulaimân bin al-Mughïra, Abu Tharr continued: "Following that
incident, I took my mother and younger brother, and we traveled back south to
Mecca. When we reached the outskirts of the city, we heard that there was a
puerile idiotic man who is possibly bewitched , and who is causing much pother
and commotion in town. When I reached the city, I met a group of teenagers, and
I inquired from them, 'Where is this strange man everyone is talking about?'
Hence, they pointed me to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and they said,
'There is your man!' As soon as I took the first step in his direction, I felt
a shower of stones and discarded bones descend on me, and every one in that
band of polytheists jumped at me, and they pounded me until they smeared me
with my own blood, and until I fell unconscious. When the evening cool breeze
touched my face, I woke up, and I painstakingly dragged myself away from that
place and went to God's House (the Ka'ba), where I hid in-between the sitra
(covering cloth) and the stone building. Hence, I stayed at the Ka'ba,
for thirty days, and thirty days, I had nothing to eat, except for the water I
drank from the well of Zamzam. By that time, I felt as though the walls of my
stomach began to crack, and I couldn't even recognize my own feebleness or
hunger. It was during that period, when one evening I saw God's messenger
£&, upon whom be peace, at God's House. He came and circumambulated the
Holy Ka'ba, and he prayed behind the Station of Abraham. I observed him in his
devotion, and I went to him, and I greeted him with the regards and salutation
of Islam, ‘ As-Salaamu 'Alaikum' (peace be upon you). He replied, ‘Wa
'alaika wa Rahmatullah' (and upon you peace and the mercy of Allah).'
Hence, I was the first to use the greeting of Islam."
350-
In another narration
attributed to Abu Laila al-Ash'ari, referring to the abovementioned account, he
quoted Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, to have said: "Later on, when I
went to see God's messenger upon whom be peace, to declare my Islam, Abu Bakr,
God be pleased with him, took me by the hand, and he treaded few steps along
with me and gently asked me, 'O Abu Tharr.' I replied, 'Order me O Abu Bakr!'
He said, 'Did you worship the sole sovereign Lord before Islam?' I replied,
'Indeed I did. Didn't you me waking up at dawn, when I remained in prayers
until the rays of the sun drove me to seek a shade.' Abu Bakr, God be pleased
with him, said, 'Indeed I did, but tell me, to what direction did you turn to
pray prior to your Islam?' I replied, 'Wherever Almighty Allah directed me, and
I did so until Almighty Allah guided me and blessed me to know the correct way
of Islam.' "
351-
Ibn 'Abbas narrated that
Abu Tharr, God be pleased with them both, said: "I stayed in Mecca with
God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, and he taught me the religion of
Islam, and I also memorized some Qur'anic verses I heard directly from him. One
day, I said, O messenger of Allah £&, I wish to declare my Islam in
public.' He replied, 'I fear for your life.' I then said, 'Death is something
no one can escape, so what if I am killed!' God's messenger Êfc, upon whom be
peace, kept quiet. When I left him, I passed by some Quraishi people sitting in
a circle talking near the mosque, and when they saw me, I looked in their eyes
and I declared with a loud voice, 'I bear witness that there no god except
Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger.' The whole crowd
became extremely upset, and they jumped at me, and they lashed their anger and
frustration upon me, as they punched me and pounded me to the point that I fell
unconscious. Seeing that, made them think that I was dead. When I woke up, and
as soon as I gathered my strength, I went back to God's messenger upon whom be
peace, and when he saw me in .that state, he looked sad, and he said to me,
'Didn't I forbid you?' I replied, 'O messenger of Allah, it was something in my
heart I wanted to verify and substantiate.' Hence, I stayed with God's
messenger £&, upon whom be peace, for sometime, and one day, he said to me,
'Go back to your clan, and when you hear my proclamation, come back and join
me.' "
352-
Ibn 'Abbas also told a
group of believers the story of how Abu Tharr entered Islam, he said: "Abu
Tharr once came to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and said, 'O messenger
of Allah, order me, and I will obey.' God's messenger replied, 'Go back and
stay with your clan, and when you hear my proclamation, come back and join me.'
Abu Tharr said, T swear by God Almighty, I will not go back to my clan until I defy
the polytheists' curfew on the believers and proclaim my acceptance of Islam as
my religion.' "
Ibn 'Abbas
continued: "Before leaving town, Abu Tharr went to the Holy Ka'ba, and he
exclaimed in public, T bear witness that there no god except Allah, and I bear
witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.' When the pagans who were
their heard him, they shouted, 'Surely this man is gone mad, the man is
possessed.' Immediately, they all jumped at him, and they beat him so severely
and mercilessly until he fainted."
Just at that
moment al-'Abbas, God be pleased with him, the uncle of God's messenger upon
whom be peace, passed by, and in an effort to stop the polytheist pagans from
finally killing Abu Tharr, he reasoned with them, saying, 'O people of Quraish,
you are merchants, and your caravans pass regularly through the highways of the
tribe of Ghafâr, the Tribe of Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri. Do you want them to avenge
their man by regularly looting your caravans, and by cutting you off your
trading pipeline?' Hearing that, the assailants reflected upon the economic
consequences, and the Quraishi left Abu Tharr smeared in his own blood, and
they went back to their homes. Al-'Abbâs, who also was a highborn from the
tribe of Quraish itself, immediately descended his horse, and he attended to
Abu Tharr.
353-
'Abdullah bin al-Sâmit
narrated that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, once said: "My bosom
friend, God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, advised me to love the meek, and that should I have to look people's fortune
in this world, to look at those who have less luck than me, and he advised me
to avoid looking at those who have better luck than I do. He advised me to
speak the truth even if it tasted bitter, and to fear no tyranny or censorship
of an unjust ruler when it comes to defending the truth of God Almighty."
354-
Hamid bin Hilâl narrated
that 'Abdullah bin al-Sâmit said: "I once went along With my uncle Abu
Tharr to visit the caliph 'Uthmân bin 'Affân, God be pleased with him. My uncle
said to him, T seek permission to leave this town.' 'Uthmân replied, 'Yes, if
you wish to do so, and we will endow you with a grant from the charity fund
that will suffice you for a long time to come.' Abu Tharr replied, T have no
need for that. Surely Abu Tharr is most content with his small herd of camels,
Allah has entrusted him with.' "
355-
'Abdullah bin al-Sâmit
narrated: "We once visited 'Uthmân bin 'Affân, God be pleased with him,
and it happened that Ka'ab, among others, was at his house dividing the
inheritance of 'Abdu- Rahmân bin 'Awf for distribution. 'Uthmân asked Ka'ab,
'How would you judge a man who had amassed all this wealth, and who had spent
his entire life distributing it to every needy person he knew, and to every
charity he thought of, and who did such and such act...?' Ka'ab calmly replied,
'I wish him the best.' "
Hearing that
conversation, Abu Tharr stood up to leave, and he addressed Ka'ab: "How do
you know that? Perhaps, on the Day of Judgment, the owner of this money would
rather have had scorpions constantly smarting at the deepest fold of his heart
in this world, rather than having labored hard to gathered this wealth.' "
As Abu Tharr was leaving the House of 'Uthmân, God be pleased with him, he
commented: "Define and resolve your worldly interests and concerns as you
see fit, and leave us alone to our Lord and to our ways of life!"
356-
Muhammad bin 'Abdullah
al-Hadhrami narrated that 'Abdullah bin Khirâsh said: "I once saw Abu
Tharr, God be pleased with him, at Ràbtha, and he had nothing for himself and
his family except for a bedouin black canopy that provided them with shade, and
I found him sitting on a dry and lacerated traveler's bag filled with stones.
Abu Tharr had a wife, an old woman of swarthy complexion, and they had no
children. I said, 'O Abu Tharr, if you remain like this, you will die having no
offspring!' He replied, 'Praise be to Him Who withholds them in this ephemeral
abode, and Who grants them as eternal blessings in the hereafter.' I asked, 'O
Abu Tharr, Why wouldn't you take a second wife along with this one?' He
replied, 'Nay, I prefer to have a wife who humiliates and upsets me rather than
a wife who honors and comforts me.' I said, 'Why wouldn't you replace this dry
and lacerated bag and use soipething softer to sit on?' Abu Tharr prayed, 'O
Lord forgive me,' and he then turned to me and said with a stern voice, 'Take
whatever you want from under this tent and leave us alone.'"
357-
Qatàda narrated that Abi
Asmâ al-Rahbi once visited Abu Tharr at his retreat in Rabtha, and he noted
that Abu Tharr's wife, Umm Tharr, did not cover her hair, nor was she courteous
towards him or towards his guests. When Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him,
looked into Abi Asma's eyes, and recognized his perception, he commented
jestingly, 'Look at what this swarthy woman is ordering me to do? She is
alw’ays aspiring for worldly comfort, and she wants me to move to Iraq, but I
am afraid that if I do so, they, the Iraqis, will present me with worldly
comforts. I also remembered that my bosom friend, God's messenger Æj:, upon
whom be peace, advised me that for those who love comfort in this world, there
is an inescapable track beneath the sirât (Bridge of the Day of
Judgment) that leads straight to hell-fire, and which track will earn its
travellers nothing but despise and humiliation. When we come upon that
junction, the lesser the burdens we carry, and the less vulnerable we are, the
better are our chances to escape from hell-fire.' "
358-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abi Bakr bin al-Munkadir said:
"Habib bin Maslama, the governor of Syria, once sent a gift of three
hundred dinars to Abu Tharr with the message, 'Use them according to your
needs.' Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, replied to the carrier, 'Take them
back to him, and tell him, couldn't he find someone else who is less guarded
and more ready to be deceived be this money? Sufficient for us the blessings of
a shade over our heads, a handful of sheep that grazes around us, and moreover,
a free woman who, as a courteous wife, is doing us the favor of serving our
daily needs, and even then, I am afraid that such blessings could be too much
for people like us.'"
359-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that the Al-Hârith once heard from someone who visited Syria, that Abu
Tharr was living in substandard conditions. Hearing that, al-Hârith sent him a
gift of three hundred dinars. Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, returned the
gift and said to the carrier: "Can't he find a servant who more gullible
for him to favor than me? I have heard God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace,
say, 'Whosoever has forty coins, and yet begs for help, he is indeed an
opportunist.' "
Abu Tharr, God
be pleased with him, continued: "When I heard that, I said to myself,
'Surely the clan of Abu Tharr owns more than forty Dirhams. They own forty
sheep along with other accessories and related traps."
360-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Tharr, God be
pleased with him once said to some of his contemporaries: "On the Day of
Judgment, I will be closer to God's messenger upon whom be peace, than any of you
in this room. This is because I heard God's messenger say, 'Among you, the
closest to me on the Day of Judgment are those who depart from this world
having the same look I saw them last.' " Abu Tharr continued, "I
swear by God Almighty, that in one way or another, and except for me, all of
you somehow look entangled in the ropes of this world."
361-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that someone once said to
Abu Tharr: "Why wouldn't you buy a farm as so and so did, among others?"
Abu Tharr replied: "What benefits do I get by becoming a landlord. I only
need a drink of water a day, and a cafiz[XIII]
of wheat per week."
362-
Sufyan al-Thawri narrated
that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with both of them, said: "I never needed
more than a single sci'a (measure) of wheat which is sufficient to
sustain my physical strength, and I will not add anything to it until I meet
Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory."
363-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Tharr al-Ghafari,
God be pleased with him, said: "I was once standing next to God's
messenger upon whom be peace, when he turned to me and said, 'O Abu Tharr! You
are a righteous man indeed, and you will suffer adversities after I leave this
world.' I inquired, 'Adversities in Allah?' He replied, Tn Allah.' Hearing
that, I said, T welcome and salute Allah's commands.' "
364-
Sufyan bin 'Uyaina
narrated that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, said: "The clan of Bnu
Umayya is threatèning me with poverty and murder. Surely I prefer to be in the
belly of this earth rather than to be walking on it, and I surely prefer
poverty over wealth."
365-
Abu Bakr bin Malik
narrated that someone asked Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him: "O Abu
Tharr, why do people leave your company upset every time they visit with
you?" He replied: "They leave upset because I admonish them against
hoarding the treasures of this world."
366-
'Abdullah bin al-Sâmit
narrated that his uncle Abu Tharr Al-Ghafâri, God be pleased with him, once
said: "My bosom friend, God's messenger upon whom be peace, entrusted me
with the admonition that any gold or silver one ties up with a thong to save
for an austere day will become a charring coal in hell-fire, unless one spends
it on God's path before he dies."
367-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, once described the people of
the world, saying: "They breed what will they will ultimately bury, they
build what will eventually be destroyed, they hold firm to what is ephemeral,
and they forsake what is everlasting. Hence, blessed are the two cries[XIV]
people abominate most: death and poverty."
368-
On the same subject,
Sulaimân Bnu 'Amru Bnu Maimoun narrated that Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri, God be
pleased with him, said: "One's money plays three possible roles in his
life: 1) It may affect his own destiny; 2) it may influence the character of
his heirs; or 3) it may bring about his eventual disgrace. As for his destiny,
it urges him to spend it away until it exhausts both its own benefits and harm,
or until one dies. As to one's heirs, they await his death to put their hands
on it and to spin what they inherit into their own wheel of destiny, and
finally comes the eventual humiliation and disgrace on the Day of Judgment.
Therefore, if you can avoid being the most disadvantaged, then do so, for
Almighty Allah says: < You will not receive the benefits of trueness (to
your Lord) until you spend out of what you love most > (Qur'an 3:92)."
Recalling that
revelation, Abu Tharr then suddenly looked around and saw a camel he owned, and
he obligingly pointed at it and said: "Indeed my Lord, I do love this
camel as my most cherished possession, and I wish to use it for my ultimate
advantage." Abu Tharr then gave away the camel in charity.
369-
Abi Shu'ba narrated that
a man came to Abu Tharr al- Ghafâri, God be pleased with him, and upon seeing
his living condition, the man proposed to offer Abu Tharr full maintenance
(Arb. nafaqa). Abu Tharr replied: "My dear brother, by the grace of
Almighty Allah, we do have here everything we need, we have goats from which we
draw our needed milk, we have donkeys to carry our burdens, we have a freed
slave, and as a wife who serves us willingly, and we do have a cloak to cover
our regular robe, so what else do we need? Yet, having this much in our
possession, I am even afraid to be questioned on the Day of Judgment about any
excesses."
370-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri once said: "There will come a day in
your world, when a man will be envied for the speed of his traveling vehicle,
to which fascination he too will take pride, and which possession he will
cherish, and such condition is similar today to the envy people may have
towards someone who begets ten male children."
371-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Tharr, God be
pleased with him, said: "On the Day of Judgment, the one who possessed two
dirhams in this world will meet with a more rigorous accountability than the
one who possessed one dirham."
372-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, said: "I swear by Almighty Allah, that
if you only knew what I have learned from God's messenger you would not hasten
to enjoy your women in bed, nor would you eventually lie impounded in
exhaustion and depleted like an empty bottle in your beds. By God, I wish
Almighty Allah had created me a tree which fruits are harvested for needed
food, and which trunk is cut down for needed wood."
373-
Abu Bakr bin Malik
narrated that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, said: "One who desires
to enter the heavenly paradise, must have constancy of purpose."
374-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Tharr, God be
pleased with him, said: "Trueness to one's Lord requires the least
supererogatory prayers to receive Allah's favorable answers, and as much as a
pinch of salt one may need for his food."
375-
Qurra bnu Khalid narrated
that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, once said to someone: "You see
how vast is humanity, and yet, it carries no benefits, except for the pious and
the penitent."
376-
Muhammad bin Wasi'
narrated that when Abu Tharr al- Ghafâri died, a man traveled to meet his wife,
Um Tharr, and he inquired from her about the nature of her husband's worship.
She replied: "He spent his entire days, mostly silent, pondering and
meditating on Allah's work."
His Admonitions
377-
Sufyan al-Thawri narrated
that Abu Tharr al-Ghafari, God be pleased with him, once stood by the Ka'ba,
and he cried out: "O ye people, I am Jandab'ul Ghafàri. Come here and hearken
to the good advise of your compassionate older brother." Immediately,
people hastened and stood around him to hear what he had to say. Abu Tharr then
said: "Do you see, when one of you plans to travel, doesn't he prepare
himself and takes with him the needed provisions that will suffice him until he
reaches his destination?" The people replied: "Indeed, he does."
Abu Tharr continued: "In this regard, the road to the Day of Reckoning is
the furthest of your ultimate destinations. Take with you what benefit you
most." The people asked: "And what do you consider as most beneficial
for such a journey?" Abu Tharr replied: "1) Make a pilgrimage to
Mecca for your dire needs; 2) fast in the hottest day in contemplation of the
horrific age-old standing of the Day of Resurrection; 3) pray two rak'St
in the darkness of the night in contemplation of one's bewilderment,
loneliness, and darkness of his grave; 4) either say something good, or remain
silent pondering an awesome age-long standing in the grim silence of the Day of
Resurrection; 5) spend your money in charity, so perhaps you can escape its
trials, 6) make this world a setting for two types of conferences: One to seek
the benefits of the hereafter, and the other to seek what is permissible.
Should there be a third criteria of meetings, they will be of harm and of no
benefit to you; and finally, 7) look at your money and divide it in two
categories: One dirham you spend on your family, the second you spend for your
own benefits in the hereafter, and should there be left a third dirham, it will
be of harm and of no benefit to you." Abu Tharr then shouted at the top of
his voice: "O ye people! Your craving to accumulate what is beyond your
reach will surely destroy you."
378-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri
said: "God's messenger -SÈ, upon whom be peace, said to me, 'O Abu Tharr,
I know a Qur'anic verse which will satisfy people's needs, if only they comply
with it!' He then recited: < Whosoever guards himself against the wrath of
Allah, his Lord will show him a way out of his difficulties, and He will
provide for his needs from sources he does not anticipate > (Qur'an
65:2).’ " Abu Tharr added: "God's messenger êfc, upon whom be
peace, then kept on rehearsing this verse to me over and over."
A Conversation
With Rasul Allah
379-
Ahmad, son of Anas bin
Malik narrated that Abu Tharr said: "I once entered the mosque and I saw
God's messenger 0&, upon whom be peace, sitting there by himself,
and I went and sat next to him. God's messenger turned to me and said, 'O Abu
Tharr, one must pay respect to a mosque when he enters it, and the greeting of
a mosque is done by offering therein two rak'ât of prayers.' I
Immediately stood to the side and offered two rak'ât, of prayers. When I
returned and sat to his side, I asked him, 'O messenger of Allah, you ordered
me to pray, what is prayer?' He said, 'Prayers are preordained blessings
whether one offers them extensively or scarcely.' I asked, 'O messenger of
Allah, what is the best of deeds?' He replied, 'To believe in Almighty Allah
and to strive on His path.' I asked, 'O messenger of Allah, whose faith is most
accomplished among the believers?' He replied, 'The best in character and
conduct.' I asked, 'O messenger of Allah, whose Islam (submission to God's
will) is most right among the believers?' He replied, 'The submission of a man
the people are safe from the inequity of his hand and tongue.' I asked, 'O
messenger of Allah, what is the best form of offering prayers?' He said, 'To
prolong one's standing in imploring and supplications (Arb. qunilt)
before God Almighty during salât.' I asked, "O messenger of Allah,
what is fasting?' He replied, 'Fasting is an obligatory pillar which is most
rewarding by itself, and Allah will multiply its reward in the hereafter many
folds.' I asked, "O messenger of Allah, what is the best of jihad,
striving on God's path?' He replied, 'To sacrifice one's horse, and to be willing
to shed one's blood in the battlefield to defend Allah's Words.' I asked, 'O
messenger of Allah, what is the best charity?' He replied, 'To have meager
means, and yet offer them to the needy.' I asked, "O messenger of Allah,
which is the most glorious verse of Qur'an that Almighty Allah revealed to
you?' He said, 'The verse of the Divine Seat (Ayat-ul Kursi - Qur'an
2:255).' 'God's messenger upon whom be peace, further added, 'O Abu Tharr,
the entire seven firmaments together with the divine Seat (Kursi) are
not greater in size than a tiny small ring which is cast in the floor of a vast
endless desert, and the superiority of the divine all-pervading, glorious,
omnipotent, and all-encompassing Divine Throne j'Arsh), is similar to
the superiority of the vastness of such a desert in size over that of the small
tiny ring.' "
Abu Tharr
continued: "I further asked, 'O messenger of Allah, how many prophets are
there?' He replied, 'One hundred and twenty four thousand prophets.' I asked,
'How many messengers are there?' He replied, 'A large crowd of three hundred
and thirteen messengers.' (Abu Tharr commented:) I said, 'Certainly, the more
blessings there are, the better it is,' (and he further said), I asked again,
'O messenger of Allah, who was the first messenger of God Almighty?' God's
messenger replied, 'Adam was the first messenger.' I asked, 'O messenger of
Allah, was Adam a sent prophet?' He replied, 'Yes indeed. Allah created him
with his own Hand, and He blew a Breath from His own Soul into him. He placed
him before Him, face to face, and He fashioned his form to perfection.' "
380-
Imam Ahmad, son of Anas
bin Malik, added in his narration of the above prophetic tradition that God's
messenger & also said: "And He spoke to him face to face." God's
messenger upon whom be peace, then added, 'O Abu Tharr, there are four
messengers of Assyriae culture, and these are Adam, Seth, Enoch, and Idris who
was the first to write with a pen, — and then came four messengers of Arab
culture, and these are Hüd, Sâlih, Shu'aib, and your prophet.' Abu Tharr added,
T asked, 'O messenger of Allah, how many Books did Almighty Allah reveal?'
God's messenger áfc, replied, 'One hundred and four Books. Fifty scrolls (Arb. suhuf)
were revealed to Seth, then Enoch received thirty scrolls, Abraham received ten
scrolls, and prior to the revelation of the Torah, Moses received ten scrolls,
and after that, Almighty Allah revealed the Torah, the Injeel, the Zabour (the
Psalms), and finally, He revealed the Qur'an.' "
Abu Tharr
continued: "I asked, 'O messenger of Allah, what did the scriptures of
Abraham deal with, and what were they like?' God's messenger replied, 'They
mostly contained parables and admonitions, such as when Almighty Allah's
addressed a king, saying, 'O tyrant king whom I have placed on his throne, and
who is self-deceived and arrogant. I did not create you to amass the world, nor
to bring it together. I have ordained you and I sent you with a mission to
answer the call of the beleaguered and the oppressed, and to be just towards
him, on My behalf, for I am God, I do answer the call of the oppressed, and I
hasten to his help when he calls upon Me, and that is even if he had previously
denied Me.»'
God's
messenger £&, upon whom be peace, continued: "Different scriptures
offered parables and wisdom, such as, 'Unless a wise person is faced with
barring circumstances, he should balance his time. He should dedicate one hour
to pondering his Lord, one hour to reckoning himself, one hour to contemplate
the work and creation of God Almighty, and one hour to satisfy his personal
needs of food and drink. A wise person must not allow himself to be distracted
from his primal objectives, except for three reasons: 1) To gather the needed
provisions for a journey, 2) to go to work and earn his livelihood, and 3) to
solicit personal pleasure solely in what is made permissible. A wise person
must recognize the era in which he lives, he must be vigilant of his
surroundings, he must mind his own business, and he must guard his tongue.
Hence, should one reckon his words as part of his deeds, he would speak little,
except in reference to his personal needs.' "
Abu Tharr
continued: "I asked, 'O messenger of Allah, then what did the other
scrolls which Moses received speak of?' He replied, 'They were admonitions as
well, such as, 'It makes Me wonder to see someone who recognizes death, and
yet, finds a way to rejoice! It makes Me wonder to see someone who acknowledges
the existence of hell-fire, and yet, finds a way to laugh! It makes Me wonder
to see someone who recognizes fate, and yet, attempts to defy it! It makes Me
wonder to see someone who witnesses how the world treats its children and turns
them upside down, and yet, feels comfortable to relax therein! It makes Me
wonder to see someone who claims to believe in the Day of Reckoning, and yet,
he does nothing towards it!' "
Abu Tharr then
asked: "O messenger of Allah, advise me." He replied: "I advise
you to uphold piety towards God Almighty and make that your main focus."
Abu Tharr added: "O messenger of Allah, advise me more!" He replied:
"Read the Qur'an regularly, for it is your light on earth, and it promotes
your name in the heavens." Abu Tharr further asked: "O messenger of
Allah, tell me more." He replied: "Beware of laughing excessively,
for excessive laughter kills the heart and darkens the face"
Abu Tharr
asked again: "Tell me more, O messenger of Allah, tell me more." He
replied: "Refrain from unnecessary talking, except when it fosters common
benefits. This will protect you against satanic assaults, and it will
rightlyguide your religious endeavors." Abu Tharr said: "Tell me
more, O messenger of Allah." He replied: "Striving on God's path is
the monasticism of my followers." Abu Tharr further said: "Tell me more,
O messenger of Allah." He replied: "Always look at those who are less
privileged than you, and do not look at those who are more privileged than you,
for this will protect you against belittling and despising God's favors upon
you." Abu Tharr asked: "Tell me more, O messenger of Allah." He
replied: "Keep in touch with your relatives even if they cut off their
ties with you." Abu Tharr asked again: "Tell me more, O messenger of
Allah." He replied: "Fear no blame or censure by others when it comes
to the truth of Almighty Allah."
Abu Tharr kept
on asking: "Tell me more, O messenger of Allah." He replied:
"Speak the truth even when it is bitter." Abu Tharr further inquired,
and God's messenger replied: "Knowing your own faults should prevent you
from looking at others' faults. Do not criticize others for faults you still
commit. In fact, it is most shameful, and it is a defect in his character for a
man to know about others' faults more than he should know about his own, or to
admonish them and not heed his own admonition."
Abu Tharr continued:
"God's messenger St, upon whom be peace, then placed the palm of
his hand over my chest and said, 'O Abu Tharr, know that there is no wisdom
better than the proper management of one's life, there is no piety better than
abstaining from wrongdoing, and there is no lineage better than having good
character and conduct.'" [XV]
381-
'Ubaid Bnu 'Umair
narrated that Abu Tharr, God Be pleased with him, said: "I once entered
the mosque where I found God's messenger upon whom be peace, sitting by
himself. I took advantage of the moment, and I asked him, 'O messenger of
Allah, does there remain in this world any of the texts of the old scriptures
suth as those revealed to Abraham or Moses?' He replied, 'O Abu Tharr, read the
Qur'anic verse, < Blessed is the success of one who purifies himself, and
when he remembers the Name of his Lord, he engages in prayers. But (the
majority of) you give preference to life in this world, although life in the
hereafter is better and more lasting. This (knowledge also) was revealed earlier
in the scrolls of Abraham and Moses > (Qur'an 87:14-19)
Abu Tharr, God
be pleased with him, was a close companion of God's messenger upon whom be
peace. He regularly sat with him, and he eagerly cared to ask him as many
questions as possible. He endeavored to draw from his wisdom, emulated his most
exalted character, and he made great strides in applying the knowledge he
learned from him in his personal life.
Abu Tharr
asked God's messenger upon whom be peace, questions relating to the usiil
(foundation of Islamic jurisprudence), as well as he asked him questions
relating to the furiT (doctrine of branches and spirituality. He asked
him questions about true faith and perfection of ethics). He asked him about
seeing God Almighty. He asked him about the most cherished divine words, God
Almighty loves. He asked him about the Night of Power, and whether its
occurrence remain after God's prophet leave this world or not? In fact, Abu
Tharr, God be pleased with him, asked God's messenger about every conceivable
question.
382-
On this subject,
'Abdu-Rahmân Bnu Laila narrated that Abu Tharr, God be pleased with him, said:
"I asked God's messenger áfc about every conceivable question, and down to
desiring to scratch a skin sensation (during prayers to stop an irritation), to
which question God's messenger replied, 'You may scratch it once, if you wish to
do so, or leave it alone.' "
Abu Tharr, God
bless his soul, renounced the world; he rolled up his sleeves and embarked on a
journey to meet the inescapable, and he embraced his adversities with
contentment and gratitude, until he met his Lord.
His Death
383-
Muhammad bin Ishâq
narrated that Al-Qarzi said: "Abu Tharr left the city Madina to a northern
locality called Rabtha, where he met with his ultimate destiny. When Abu Tharr
fell ill, he requested his wife, saying: "When I die, give me the initial
ritual bath, shroud me, and then place me on the side of the road. When the
first group of travelers come by, tell them, 'This is Abu Tharr, the companion
of God's messenger upon whom be peace, please help us to wash him and to bury
him."
Later on that
day, it happened that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, was
traveling with a caravan from Iraq to Madina, and he recognized Abu Tharr, and
he immediately hastened to help in his burial.
384-
Ishâq al-Thaqfi narrated
that Um Tharr, the wife of Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri said: "When Abu Tharr was
dying, he saw me crying, and he asked me, 'Why are you crying?' I replied, T do
not know what to do! I surely cannot wash your body and shroud you all by
myself. I do not have a single robes that is big enough to shroud you, nor do
we have in this entire place enough material to shroud your body with!' Abu
Tharr said, 'Do not cry. Listen, I was once sitting in a group of people, and I
heard God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, say to us, 'One of you will die in a desolated area, and near his death,
a group of believers will pass by, and they will bury him and officiate his
funeral prayer.' O Um Tharr, none of those who were sitting in that gathering
is alive today except me, and each one of them have died in a town, or surrounded
with a group of believers, and therefore, I believe that I am the one who will
die in a desolated area as prophesied by God's messenger upon who be peace. I
swear by Allah that I am not lying, nor did I ever disbelieve in what God's
messenger said. Go and look outside, perhaps you will see a group of travelers
coming this way.'"
Um Tharr
continued: "When I understood, I had no more excuses but to accept what I
was told to do." Um Tharr then divided her attention between attending to
her dying husband, and looking outdoor to find out about the traveling group of
believers. One moment she stood near a dune looking in all directions, and the
next moment she went back to nurse her dying husband. Suddenly, in the middle
of her dilemma, there appeared in the horizon the shadows of travelers on their
trotting horses, they floated smoothly across the desert, and the winds raised
their overcoats to near their shoulders, making them appear from a distance
like gliding kites. Um Tharr immediately waved her extra robe, signaling them
to come to her rescue. When they arrived, they asked her: "What do you
need O woman?" She replied: "There is dying Muslim in this dwelling,
would you please help me in shrouding and burying him?" Someone asked: "Who
is it?" She sobbingly replied: "Abu Tharr!" Hearing his name,
the entire group cried out: "This is the beloved companion of God's
messenger and by God, we will surely sacrifice and risk everything for his
sake."
Immediately
everyone jumped off their horses, and they gently pushed her aside, while they
eagerly hastened to his bedside. Seeing them, Abu Tharr smiled and said to
them: "Cheer ye good people. I was once sitting in a group of people, and
I heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say to us, 'One of you will die in
a desolated area, and a group of believers will pass by near his death, and
when he dies, they will bury him and officiate his funeral.' Since none of
those who were sitting in that gathering is alive today except for me, and each
one of them have died in a town surrounded by a group of believers, therefore,
I believe that I am that one who was meant by God's messenger and who is
destined to die in a desolated area.'"
Abu Tharr
further continued: "O good people, did you hear what I said? I swear in
the Name of Allah that if I had even a single overcoat which could cover me or
my wife, I would certainly ask to be shrouded in it, and I would not have asked
anyone for a piece of shroud. Do you hear me? I beg you in the Name of Allah
and Islam, let no leader among you wash me or shroud me, nor should a corporal,
a captain, or a courier among you do that, for no one among your elite but has
committed what he admonishes others not to do. Furthermore, let no one who last
night had sexual intercourse with his wife shroud me, except for a youth from
Madina and who is here with you."
Immediately, a
young man from the ansar (partisans) of Madina said: "O uncle, I am
not married, I will shroud you in my own coat, and I will use two extra coats,
my mother have spun and weaved for me!" Abu Tharr replied: "You do
that my son."
When Abu
Tharr, God be pleased with him, died, the young man washed him and shrouded him
as he promised, and a group of Medinites, including, Hajru Bnul Adbar, and
Malik Bnul Ashtar, among others from Yemen, officiated his funeral.
Also among our
peers, we here note some of the virtues of the blessed companion Abu 'Abdullah
'Utba Bnu Ghazwân, God be pleased with him, the blessed companion of God's
messenger upon whom be peace. 'Utba Bnu Ghazwân renounced leadership and
authority, and he relinquished the government of cities and countries. In the
early days of the message, 'Utba Bnu Ghazwân was the seventh person to join the
believers in their submission to the divine command, and who readily accepted
the divine message of Islam. Later on, 'Utba Bnu Ghazwân was offered the seat
of the governor of Basra, Iraq, where he went at first, and he built its
central mosque, and established its pulpit. 'Utba is also well remembered for
his inspiring sermon on Governing The World and The Keenness Needed To Tie
up Its Loose Ends, and What Changes of Colors One Should Expect To See In This
World.
385-
Khâlid bin 'Umair
narrated that 'Utba Bnu Ghazwân, God be pleased with him, in one of his
sermons, and after praising Almighty Allah, and invoking His blessings upon His
messenger
upon whom be
peace, 'Utba said: "O people! This world is most blatant about its
harshness towards its children, while it is moving rapidly towards its
inevitable demise. The most of what is left is as little as a meager couple
sips of water one may find in the bottom of an empty pitcher. You also must
realize and understand that you are presently moving from a temporary abode to
the final and permanent one. Therefore, take with you the best of what you can
find, and leave behind you what you do not need. I take refuge in Almighty
Allah never to let me feel great in my own estimation while being insignificant
in His sight. As for you, the time will come, and you will surely be tried with
unjust rulers after I leave this world. History has taught us that whenever a
prophet of Allah had left this world, its conditions deteriorated, and the
government turned into a kingdom first, and then, it is ruled by tyrant
dictators."
"In the
early days of the message, there was a time when I was one of seven people who
accepted God's message of Islam, and at that time we lived through the most
austere conditions. We even had nothing to eat except the leaves of shrubs and
trees, and yet, for a while, we had no choice but to eat them, and we did so
until the corners of our mouths turned ulcerous. I once found a trashed cloak
which I cut in two halves, one half I took for myself, and the other I gave to
Sa'ad bin Malik. However, if you look for any of these seven people in this
world today, and should he be alive, you would find him to be a most successful
governor of a distant land."
"What a
wonder a stone is! When it is thrown from the top of hell-fire, it takes
seventy autumns to reach the bottom of it. Doesn't that make you wonder? On the
other hand, it also takes forty years to cover the distance in-between the two
posts of the gate of paradise, and yet, there will come a day when even that
entrance will be crowded as well."
'Utba, God be pleased
with him, died in the locality of Rabtha.
Also among our
peers, there comes al-Miqdàd bin al-Aswad, God be pleased with him, the son of
'Amru bnu Tha'laba, who was one of the early believers in God's message and in
His messenger upon whom be peace. Al-Miqdâd was a chivalrous companion, and he
had a most noble character. He declined an appointment to a government
position, and he gave preference to the armed struggle to defend his faith and
the family of believers. He coupled that with unquestionable devoutness and
courage, and he solicited the guardianship of God Almighty to protect him
against the temptations and the trials of this world.
386-
'Âsim bin Zarr narrated
that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, said: "The first
group of believers to defy the Quraishi ban on proclaiming faith in God's
oneness, and who declared their Islam in public comprised seven people, namely:
God's messenger Abu Bakr, 'Ammar bin Yasir and his mother Sumayyah, Suhayb,
Bilal, and al-Miqdâd."
"As to God's
messenger upon whom be peace, it was his uncle Abu Tâlib who warned him against
it. Next and because of his social rank, Abu Bakr was merely contested by his
clan, and as for the others, they were subjected to awesome persecution and
harrowing torture. At one time, they were fitted with tight iron armatures with
no clothing under them, and they were laying in the open desert for a long day
under the sun, exposing them to the torrid burning heat of the desert, and
until their skin blistered under the sun-heated metal."
387-'Abdullah bin Buraida narrated that God's messenger upon whom be
peace, once spoke to 'Ali, God bless his countenance, saying: "Almighty
Allah ordered me to love four people He loves, and you are one of them O 'Ali,
and along with you are al-Miqdad, Abu Tharr (al-Ghafari), and Salman
(al-Fârisi)."
Prior to the Battle of Badr against the
polytheist forces of the Tribe of Quraish, God's messenger upon whom be peace,
came out and sought the advise of all people concerning facing an army of
unbelievers four times larger in number than that of the believers, and which
was better equipped.
388-
On this subject, Muhammad
bin Jurair narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, said:
"I bore witness to the unique faith of al-Miqdâd bin al-Aswad at a most
critical moment, and to have his perception and stamina is dearer to my heart
than to own everything in this world. We all knew when God's messenger £&,
upon whom be peace, was upset when his cheeks turns red, expressing his
displeasure with something. One day, at such a critical moment, al-Miqdâd bin
al-Aswad arrived, and when he saw God's messenger in that state, he said:
"Cheer O messenger of Allah. I swear by Almighty Allah that we will not .
say to you what the children of Israel said to Moses when they said, 4 Go with
your Lord and fight (there), and we will sit here (and watch) > (Qur'an
5:24), but we say, and we swear by Him Who has sent you with the message of
truth, that we are all the way with you, and we will be in front of you, behind
you, on your right side, and on your left side to defend you, and until the
Almighty Allah grants you victory."
389-
Also in reference to the
above narration, Muhammad bin Ishâq said: "When God's messenger â:, upon
whom be peace, came out and sought the advise of his companions, al-Miqdâd
stood up and said, 'O messenger of Allah, go ahead and do what Almighty Allah
commanded you to do, and you will find us with you. Cheer up O messenger of
Allah, for I swear by Almighty Allah that we will not say to you what the
children of Israel said to Moses, < Go with your Lord and fight (there), and
we will sit here (and watch) > (Qur'an 5:24), but we say, "Go
with your Lord, and we will fight on your side.' God's messenger -Si, upon whom
be peace, then said, 'Blessed are these tidings,' and he prayed for
al-Miqdâd."
390-
'Abdullâh, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that al-Miqdâd bin al-Aswad
said: "When we arrived to Madina, God's messenger Si, upon whom be peace,
assembled us in groups of ten in each house, and I was among the group of ten,
where God's messenger upon whom be peace, stayed, and each ten people had a
single goat to share its milk."
391-
Bishr bin al-Mufaddhal
narrated that al-Miqdâd bin al- Aswad, God be pleased with him, said:
"God's messenger SÊ, upon whom be peace, once appointed me to command an
administrative post. When I completed my mission and returned to Madina, he
said to me, 'How did you find leadership?' I replied, 'O messenger of Allah,
when I occupied that post, I thought that everyone was my uncle. Let God be my
witness that I will not accept any appointment from today on as long as I live
in this world.' "
392-
Also in reference to the
above account, Anas Ibn Malik, God be pleased with him, narrated that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, once appointed al-Miqdâd bin al-Aswad, God be
pleased with him, to head an administrative post. When al-Miqdâd completed his
mission and returned to Madina, God's messenger
upon whom be peace, asked
him: "How did you find leadership?" Al-Miqdâd replied: "I was
treated like a monarch. Everything was brought before me, and the way was
cleared for my needs, until, and for one moment, I though that I was somehow
better than the others." God's messenger upon whom be peace, commented:
"It is like that. Either you take it or leave it!" Al-Miqdâd replied:
"O messenger of Allah, I swear by Him Who sent you with the message of
truth, I will never again accept to even command over two people."
393-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Jubair,
son of Nafir narrated that he heard his father say: "A group of us once
had some pressing concerns, and we invited al-Miqdâd bin al-Aswad, God be
pleased with him, to explain them for us. When he arrived we said, 'May
Almighty Allah grant you continuous health and strength. Please sit down and
let us present our case and express our concerns.'"
When al-Miqdâd sat down,
he said: "What a wonder! I once passed by some people who desired action,
and craved trials. They claimed that should Allah had try them with adversities
similar to those met by His messenger upon whom be peace, and by his
companions, they would have faced them with courage! I swear by the guidance of
Almighty Allah, which is the best of guidance, that I heard God's messenger êè,
upon whom be peace, say, 'Happy is the man who is allowed to avoid
temptations.' God's messenger repeated that thrice, and then he said, 'And when
such a man meets with trials, he endures them with patience.' "
Al-Miqdâd, God be pleased
with him, further continued: "I swear by the guidance of Almighty Allah,
which is the best of guidance, that I will not attest of anyone to be a dweller
of the heavenly paradise unless I can see the conditions that surrounded his
death. My conclusion is based on what God's messenger êfc, upon whom be peace,
enunciated when he said, 'Indeed, the heart of the son of Adam can change its
course faster than water when agitated by boiling.' "
394-
'Abdullah bin al-Mubârak
narrated that al-Nafïr, said: "We were one day sitting with al-Miqdâd bin
al-Aswad, God be pleased with him, when someone passed by and said to him,
'Blessed are these eyes that saw God's messenger ÆË, upon whom be peace. I
swear by Almighty Allah, that would have wished our eyes to have seen what you
saw, and to have witnessed the events you witnessed!'
Al-Nafïr said,
'I heard what I heard, and I was amazed at what the man said, yet, I told
myself, 'He just wanted to say something nice.' Al-Miqdâd bin al-Aswad, God be
pleased with him, turned to the man and said, 'What makes someone like you wish
to have attended an event Allah has decreed him not to witness. Wishing for
something far beyond his reach, and not knowing what stance would he have taken
then! I swear by God Almighty that there were also some prominent people who
witnessed God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, and yet, Almighty Allah
decreed that they be humiliated, and He thrusted them, nose down, into
hell-fire because they did not heed His call or believe in His messenger Why
aren't you grateful enough to Almighty Allah to have granted you this life, to
know no one besides your Lord, and to accept what your prophet ■£&, upon
whom be peace, brought you, and why wouldn't you be grateful to Allah for
letting others meet such adversities and awesome trials in your stead?' I swear
by God Almighty, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, was sent in dire
circumstances, no other prophet has ever encountered. He came at the most
difficult times, and after a long period following the last of God's
messengers, (Jesus, the son of Mary, upon whom be peace). The people of Arabia
were then immersed in an era of paganism and ignorance (Arb. jâhiliyah),
and they had found pleasure in pursuing idol worship.'
'God's
messenger upon whom be peace, came then with a criterion to help them
differentiate between truth and falsehood. However, the truth was sometimes
hard for them to bear, and initially, the criterion he brought from his Lord
also had divided father and son in opinion and faith. In fact, when Almighty
Allah unlocked one's heart and imparted faith to it, He also made it understand
that those who reject the truth will culminate in unending torment and
destruction in hell-fire. Hence, a man may have regarded his own father, his
son, or his brother as an unbeliever, and he may have not liked to see his kin
fall in such state, and therefore, he had little comfort when the thought of
their possible destiny crossed his mind. Therefore, it is better for you to
recall the prayer which Allah, the Almighty Lord of majesty, taught, < Our
Lord, grant us comfort in our spouses and offspring ^’(Qur'an 25:74)
Also among our
peers and the blessed companions of God's messenger ■££, upon whom be peace, is
Salem, the companion and attendant (mawla) of Abu Huthaifa, God be
pleased with both of them. He was an affluent and eloquent speaker and he
memorized the entire Qur'an by heart. Later on, Salem became a renowned Imam
who possessed clarity of faith, sincerity, and certitude, and his profound
knowledge of the Holy Book gave brilliant depth and wisdom to his orations.
395-
'Abdullah bin 'Amr, God
be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace,
said: "Learn the Qur'an from four people, Ibn Mas'oud, Salem mawla Abu
Huthaifa, Ubiyyu Bnu Ka'ab, and Mu'âth Bin Jabal." (May Allah be forever
pleased with all of them).
396-
Anas bin Tyadh narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with them, said: "Prior to the
arrival of God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, to the city of Madina, the first group of émigrés from Mecca used to
gather to pray at a place called al-'Isba, near the mosque of Qabà, where Salem
mawla Abu Huthaifa regularly led them in prayers, and he knew the Qur'an more of
than the others, including Abu Bakr and Omar, God be pleased with both of
them."
397-
'Ubâda bin Nasiy
narrated, re Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
áfc, upon whom be peace, once spoke in reference to Salem mawla Abu Huthaifa,
saying: "Indeed, Salem has intense heartily love for God Almighty, the
Lord of majesty and Glory."
398-
Muhammad bin Ishaq
al-Thaqfi narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, said:
"If I was to appoint Salem mawla Abu Huthaifa as my successor, and should
my Lord question me about my reason for doing so, I would reply, 'Lord, I have
heard Thy prophet upon whom be peace, say about Salem that he loved Almighty
Allah with all his heart."
399-
Malik bin Dinar narrated,
re Salem mawla Abu Huthaifa, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger ât,
upon whom be peace, said: "On the Day of Reckoning, throngs of people will
be brought in, carrying good deeds measuring as high as the Mountains of
Tihâma.[XVI]
When they stand before the Just Lord, He will cause their deeds to come to
naught, and then He will order them to be thrown into hell-fire."
Salem asked:
"O messenger of Allah, surely you are more dear to me than my own father
and mother. I ask you by such station you hold in my heart to disclose them to
us, so that we may come to know the truth about such people. I swear by Him Who
sent you with the message of truth, that I too fear to be one of them!"
God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied: "O Salem, such people do fast
and pray regularly; and yet, whenever they encounter something unlawful, they
wish for it, and when possible, they jump at the opportunity and grab it, and
hence, Almighty Allah will render their deeds obsolete."
Malik bin
Dinar commented on the abovementioned prophetic account saying: "This is
what hypocrites are about."
26- 'ÀMER BIN RaBÏ'a
Also among the
blessed companions we must cite the name of Abu 'Abdullah, 'Amer bin Rabi'a,
God be pleased with him. He witnessed the Battle of Badr among others, and he
was known to spend extended hours praying in mosques, standing up long nights
celebrating the praises of God Almighty, pondering, contemplating, and invoking
the remembrance of Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory. Àmer bin Rabi'a, used
his innate common sense to avoid many of the awesome trials and adversities
that befell others in the community of his time. He renounced interest in gifts
and grants, he lived with honor and dignity, and he died shielded and safe in
the protection of God Almighty.
What drove
'Àmer bin Rabï'a to such a remarkable level of ascetic detachment and made him
prefer a life of poverty in this world over that of collecting riches, and
furthermore, what invited 'Amer to become intoxicated with constant remembrance
(Zikr) of his Lord, was a combination of his nearness to God's messenger upon
whom be peace, the intensity of the missions he carried alongside God's
messenger and his blessed companions, the physical tension he endured
throughout the campaigns, and the clarity and knowledge of the revelations he
acquired directly from God's messenger át, upon whom be peace.
400-
Yahya bin Ayoub narrated
that Yahya bin Sa'fd said: "I once heard 'Amer bin Rabï'a praying at the
mosque when in the middle of the night the insurgence of a mutinous group
against the caliph took place. In that night, 'Àmer narrated that when went to
rest, and in a dream, a voice said to him, 'Wake up to prayers and beseech
Almighty Allah to protect you against trials as He protected His most favored
servants.' 'Àmer bin Rabï'a immediately woke up, and he stood up in prayers.
Shortly after that vision 'Àmer fell il, and he did not leave his house until
his funeral."
401-
'Abdullah, the son of
'Àmer bin Rabï'a, said: "When the insurgence against the caliph 'Uthmân,
God be pleased with him, took place, my father woke up in the middle of the
night, and he prayed, 'My Lord, I beseech Thee to deliver me from these trials
and to protect me as Thou protected Thy most favored servants.' "
'Abdullah
continued: "Shortly after that, my father fell ill, and he did not leave
the house until his funeral."
402-
In another narration
referring to the mutiny against the caliph, the vicegerent of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and the prince of the believers, 'Uthmân bin 'Affân, God be
pleased with him, Muhammad bin al-Mutawakkil al-'Asqalâni, said: "When the
insurgence against 'Uthmân took place, a man became outraged, and he said to
his family, 'Tie me up with solid chains for I have become insane, and I have
no more control over my actions.' "
"Beholding
his determination, the family chained the man inside his own house as he
demanded, and later on, after the murder of 'Uthmân, God be pleased with him,
the man said to his family, 'You may release me now. To Allah belong all praises.
I thank Him for curing me of my insanity, and for guarding me against having
anything to do with the murder of 'Uthmân.' "
403-
Müsa bin 'Ubaida narrated
that 'Àmer bin Rabï'a, God be pleased with him, spoke of an Arab who once
visited him, and whom 'Âmer honored duly. Later on, 'Àmer introduced his guest
to God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, and he spoke of him with great
esteem. After the guest had visited with God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, and prior to leaving the house, the Arab man said 'Âmer bin Rabï'a:
"I presented God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, with a gift of an
estate I own, and I assure you that there is not a soil in the entire Arabian
peninsula akin to its soil in fertility. Therefore, I want to offer you a gift
of a piece land from that valley, and I am sure that it will suffice all your
needs and those of your offspring for generations to come." 'Âmer bin
Rabï'a, God be pleased with him, replied to his parting guest, saying: "I
surely have no need for such an estate. This mourning, Allah has revealed a
verse which says, 4 People's Day of Judgment has come closer, and yet, they are
in oblivion of it, and they turn away when they hear its warnings ^(Qur'an
21:1)."
404-
Abu Bakr bin Hafs
narrated, re 'Abdullâh, that his father 'Âmer bin Rabï'a, God be pleased with
him, said: "Sometimes, God's messenger upon whom be peace, would send us
on a mission, and the entire detachment will have a mere small bag of dried
dates as its provisions. We use to divide the contents of the bag between us, a
handful of dried dates for each person until we had nothing but a single dried
date which we kept in the bag for later."
'Abdullâh
became puzzled as he asked his father: "And what would a single dried date
do for an entire detachment?" 'Âmer replied: "My dear son, don't say
that! Sometimes, when we were struck by extreme hunger, we even had to divide
the last date among ourselves, and by God's grace, even a single date was
sufficient."
405-
'Âsim bin 'Ubaidullàh
narrated that 'Âmer bin Rabi'a, God be pleased with him, said: "We
accompanied God's messenger Í on a campaign, and at distant area from Madina,
we were overcome by a dark night, hence, we stopped, and prior to lying down,
each man went out and brought few stones to build a niche for prayers. When we
walk up at dawn, we realized that we had prayed in a direction other than that
of the Ka'ba, so we went to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and said:
"O messenger of Allah, perhaps we prayed last night towards the wrong
direction!" That morning, Allah, the Most Exalted, revealed the Qur'anic
verse, 4 Both the East
and the West belong to Allah, and whichever way you turn, Allah's presence is
surely there. Surely Allah is the All- Pervading, and the All-Knowing > (Qur'an
2:115)"
406-
'Âsim bin 'Ubaidullàh narrated
that 'Âmer bin Rabi"a, God be pleased with him, said: "One day,
during a congregational prayer, a man standing immediately behind God's
messenger upon whom be peace, sneezed, and he prayed in an audible voice, 'All
praises are due to Allah, — indefinite, most fragrant, and blessed praises, so
that they be pleasing to our Lord of majesty and glory. Praises that heighten
and multiply for ever to meet the expediency of His infinite pleasure. Indeed,
all praises are due to Allah for every condition He decrees.' After paying the
concluding greetings due upon the closing of the prayers, God's messenger upon
whom be peace, turned to the congregation and inquired, 'Who uttered these
words?' The man immediately made himself known, and replied, 'That was me, O
messenger of Allah. Surely, I only meant good!' God's messenger &, upon
whom be peace, then said, T saw twelve angels stepping up, and soliciting who
among themselves should write down this prayer to present it before the Lord of
the Divine Throne.' "
407-
'Âmer bin Rabi"a,
God be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger Í&, upon whom
be peace, said: "Whoever prays to Allah to bless me with salawât
once, Allah, the Most Exalted, will bless him ten folds. Therefore, it is up to
you to solicit more or less of such auspicious and most favorable
blessings."
408-
Another segment of the
above prophetic saying was narrated by Shu'uba, re 'Amer bin Rabi'a, God be
pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Whenever
a servant invokes Allah's blessings (salawât) upon me, the angels will
pray to Allah to bless him as well, and to forgive his sins, and as long as he
invokes such divine blessings, the angels will continue to do sc. Therefore, it
is up to the servant of Allah, Exalted be His Name, to solicit more or less of
such most auspicious favors."
Also among the
blessed witnesses and companions comes Thawbân, the attending-companion (mawla)
of God's messenger S:, upon whom be peace. Thawbân was filled with contentment
and gratitude, and he was most loyal, chaste, modest, charming, and graceful.
He served the messenger of the Merciful Lord with utmost sincerity, and he was
promised a guarantee of entering the heavenly paradise as long as he refrains
from asking any one besides Almighty Allah for anything, or seeking the door of
any one in authority in this world, which condition he fulfilled by the grace
of Almighty Allah, as the following testimonies will attest:
409-
'Abdullâh bin 'Abdul
Wahâb al-Hajbi narrated that Yusuf bin 'Abdul-Hamid said: "I once passed
by Thawbân, and he saw me wearing a luxury garment and a signature-engraved
ring. He said to me, 'What are you doing with this outfit and this signature-
engraved ring? Did you not know that signature-engraved rings belong to the
kings of this world?' " Yusuf bin 'Abdul-Hamid commented: "Hearing
what Thawbân said, I never wore a ring since that day."
410-
'Amru bnu Hafs narrated,
re Thawbân, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, was praying for his family
(ÂI al-Bait), and he mentioned 'Ali and Fâtima, among others. Thawbân,
who served in God's messenger's house, asked, 'O messenger of Allah, am I not a
member of your family (A/ al-Bait)T God's messenger Í&, upon whom be
peace, replied, 'Indeed you are, and as long as you do not object to God's will
when circumstances oppose your favored intentions, and as long as you do not
seek someone in authority or ask him to supplement your needs.' "
411-
Muhammad bin Qays
narrated, re Thawban, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"Whosoever accepts this single most pressing advice from me, I will
personally welcome him into paradise." Thawbân immediately jumped at the
opportunity and said: "O messenger of Allah, I accept your advice."
God's messenger upon whom be peace, then said: "Never ask any one in this
world for anything."
Yazïd, son of
Mu'âwiya, commented on the above narration, saying: "For the balance of
his life, and even should Thawban's leather scourge fall while riding his
camel, he never asked any one to hand it to him, and he would descend his camel
and pick it up by himself."
412-
Ma'dân bin Abi Talha
narrated, re Thawbân, that God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, said:
"Whosoever asks anyone for something he does not really need, it will
evince as a dark mark on his face on the Day of Resurrection."
413-
Abu 'Amer narrated, re Thawbân,
God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"Any gold or silver, one leaves behind him when he dies, will be melted
and rolled into sheets that will be used in the hereafter to brand him from the
bottom of his feet and up to his chin."
Thawbân, God
be pleased with him, then said: "O Abu 'Amer, this prophetic statement may
even apply to the leftover milk of one's she-goat, and therefore, you better
find a way to dispense of any excess before it is too late."
414-
Mubârak bin Fadhâla
narrated, re Thawbân, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom
be peace, said: "There will come a day, when nations will converge upon
the Muslims from every direction, treading on the heels of each others, without
mercy, just as hungry ravens voraciously attack and devour their meal."
The peopled asked: "O messenger of Allah, is that because we will be fewer
in number?" He replied: "To the contrary! At such a time, you will be
in great number, and yet, you will be like the scum that washes on the surface
of a torrent. The hearts of your enemies will be filled with contempt towards
you, and they will be stripped of any regards or fear of you, while your hearts
will be clogged by wahn, an attenuating disease." People asked:
"Describe such an attenuating disease in the heart?" God's messenger
upon whom be peace, replied: "Such disease affects hearts which are filled
with love for the world, and which hate death."1
415-
Salem bin Abi Ja'ad
narrated that Thawbân, God be pleased with him, said: "We were traveling
with God's messenger upon whom be peace, and some people from among the Meccan
émigrés were discussing the meaning of some Qur'anic verses dealing with Gold
and silver, and they were wondering what type of money one should have? Omar
bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, overheard their conversation, and he
said, 'If you wish, I will ask God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, about
it?' The people consented, and I followed him, and I heard Omar as he asked
God's messenger upon whom be peace, the question, 'What type of money should
one keep, since the revelations spoke about the consequences of saving gold and
silver?' God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied, 'The best property one
should keep is a tongue which is constantly engaged in zikr, praising
God Almighty, a heart which is filled with gratitude to its Lord, and a wife
who believes in God Almighty, and who helps her husband reach his ultimate goal
in the hereafter safely.' "
Among the
blessed companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, there also lived
Râfi' Abu al-Bahiy, God be pleased with him. He was known to despise what is
lowly and ephemeral, and he loved what is exalted, pure, and everlasting.
416-
'Amru bnu Dinar narrated,
re Muhammad, son of 'Amru bin Sa'id bin al-'Âss, whose his family owned and
freed all its slaves from bondage after the advent of Islam, except for one.
This man went to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and asked for his
intercession. When the owner, 'Amru bin Sa'id bin al-'Àss, came to discuss the
case with God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, he gave him to his care,
and God's messenger in turn told the man to go free. His name was Râfi' Abu
al-Bahiy, and he developed
i.e., A dislike to meet one's Lord. a
great love and feelings of strong ties to God's messenger Í&, and he liked
to often say about himself: "I am the Mawla (slave-attendant) of
God's messenger upon whom be peace."
417-
'Abdullah bin 'Amr
narrated that someone asked God's messenger "Who is the best of
people?" God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied: "A believer who
possesses a tamed heart and a truthful tongue." The man asked: "What
is a tamed heart?" God's messenger ££ replied: "A heart which is
filled with piety towards Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory. That is a pious
heart which is free of ills, transgression, cheating, jealousy, or envy."
The man
further asked: "O messenger of Allah, who is next in character and
praiseworthy qualities?" God's messenger ë, upon whom be peace, replied:
"A believer who despises status in the world, and who loves the
hereafter." The people present then said: "We are only aware of
Râfi', the companion-attendant (Mawla) of God's messenger to possess
such quality; — and who is next in praiseworthiness?" God's messenger
replied: "A believer who possesses a noble character and conduct."
Aslam Abu
Ràfi' also was one of the attending companions (Mawla) of God's
messenger upon whom be peace. He accepted Islam and embraced God's religion
along with al-'Abbas, but both of them concealed their faith during their stay
in Mecca.
At one time,
the polytheist Meccans and the Muslims relationship was governed by a temporary
agreement of suspension of hostility for one year, known as the Truce of
Hudaibiyya. Among the articles of the agreement, it was covenanted that Muslims
who desired to renege on their faith and return to Mecca were free to do so. On
the other hand, the treaty stipulated that should a Meccan seek to become a Muslim
and take refuge in Madina, to join the believers, he was to be extradited and
returned to the Meccans. Such was the demand of the Meccans, who, even soon
after that covenant broke their fragile truce, and hence, events deteriorated
rapidly and led into the Muslims taking back Mecca in 630 C.E., eight years
after their Hijra migration to Madina.
During the
period of the truce of Hudaibiyya, Aslam lived in Mecca, and he was
commissioned by the heathen and polytheist Quraishis of Mecca to deliver a
letter to God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace. As soon as Aslam arrived
to Madina, he declared his acceptance of Islam, and he sought permission to
remain in Madina along with the early émigrés. However, because of the truce of
Hudaibiyya, God's messenger <§;, upon whom be peace, ordered him to return
to Mecca, saying: "We can neither control the cold weather, nor do we take
our covenants lightly."
Hence, Aslam
returned to Mecca, and shortly after that incident, God's message reined
throughout the Arabian peninsula. The Muslims took back Mecca, and Aslam moved
to the blessed city of Madina and became a close companion of God's messenger
upon whom be peace. God's messenger foretold Aslam that poverty was going to
become one of his major trials, and he also forbade him to stash any excess
money he earns, and he informed him about the punishment reserved in the
hereafter for one who hoards money and stash it for later.
Among the many
narrators of prophetic traditions and sayings, Aslam Abu Rafi' is often quoted
in many collections of prophetic sayings, including in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih
Muslim, among others.
418-
Kathir bin Zaid narrated
that Aslam Abu Rafi' said: "I was with God's messenger upon whom peace,
and he took me to visit al-Baqï' Cemetery (in Madina). When we reached one of
the graves, God's messenger áfc, grumbled in extreme displeasure with something
while turning his head to the other side, and thrice he said, 'Phew, phew,
phew!' as though he disapproved something." Rafi' thought that it
concerned him, and he exclaimed: "O messenger of Allah, surely you are
more dear to me than my own father and mother, please tell me what is it that
disappointed you?" God's messenger upon whom peace, replied: "I once
employed the man in this grave pit to go to the tribe of so and so to collect
alms, and he cheated us in remitting a cloak. As I passed by his grave today, I
was shown the man wearing that same cloak which is turned into a blazing fire
inside his grave."
419-
Sâlim Mawla Abu Ràfi'
narrated that God's messenger Sfc, upon whom be peace, once said to Aslam Abu
Râfi': "O Abu Râfi', what would you say should you one day become
extremely poor?" Abu Raff replied: "Would it not be better for me
then to start by giving away what I have?" God's messenger answered him:
"That will be good! Tell me, how much money have you saved?" Abu Raff
replied: "Forty thousands, and, I am offering it right now for Allah'
pleasure." God's messenger said: "No! Don't do that. Give away some
of it, save some, and satisfy the satisfy the needs of your own children with
the balance." Abu Raff then asked: "O messenger of Allah, do our
children have rights upon us?" God's messenger replied: "Yes, indeed!
The right of the child upon his father, is that the father must teach him the Book
of Allah."
420-
'Uthmân bin Abdu- Rahman
narrated in reference to the children's rights upon their parents, also quoting
God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, to have said: "To teach him the
Book of Allah, and to train them in the art of archery, and swimming,"
421-
Yazïd, another narrator
of the above prophetic tradition added that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
also said: "And to bequeath him his birthright."[XVII]
422-
'Uthmân bin 'Abdu-Rahmân
narrated, re Abu Salim that when God's messenger upon whom be peace, told Abu
Rafi' about his fate, Abu Rafi' asked: "O messenger of Allah, when is it
that I will become poor?" God's messenger replied: "After I leave
this world."
Abu Salim
added: "After God's messenger passed, I saw Abu Raff sitting in on a
sidewalk, begging, 'Who wishes to give charity to and old blind man? Who wishes
to give charity to a man who was foretold by God's messenger upon whom be
peace, that he will be tried with poverty after him? Is there any one who
wishes to distribute money in charity today? Indeed, Allah has the upper hand,
the charitable person has the middle hand, and the recipient has the lower
hand. Indeed, whoever begs for money he does not need, it will become a
distinguished mark of shame by which he will be branded and known on the Day of
Resurrection. Surely it is not permissible to give charity to a rich person, or
to a healthy strong man."[XVIII]
Abu Salim
said: "A man once gave him four dirhams in charity, and Abu Râfi' returned
one of them back. The man became upset and said to him, 'O servant of Allah, do
not reject my charity or deny me the right of this duty!' Abu Râfi' replied, T
am not rejecting your charity, but God's messenger upon whom be peace, had
ordered me not to save anything over and above my immediate needs.' "
Abu Salim
further added: "Later on in his life, I witnessed Abu Râfi' regain his
stature in the world, he became rich again, and he further begot ten children.
I also heard him say about himself, T wish Abu Râfi' had died poor.' "
All praises
are due to Allah, the Lord and Creator of the universe, and the best peace and
blessings be upon His blessed messenger Muhammad upon whom be peace.
Salmân
al-Fârisi, is the forerunner and the champion of the believers of Persia. He
was adamant and relentless in his pursuit of his exalted goal, and he abounded
with profound knowledge and deep wisdom.
Abu 'Abdullâh,
(that is his patronym), Salmân al-Fârisi sought and embraced Islam at the hand
of God's messenger Sfc, upon whom be peace, and he became a beacon of knowledge
and wisdom, and he became a close companion of God's messenger upon whom be
peace. Salman was a noble and a compassionate man, and he was foretold by God's
messenger upon whom be peace, that paradise longed to meet him.
Because of his
clarity, correct understanding, and his close relationship with God's messenger
££, upon whom be peace, Salmân bore patiently the hardships and material
adversities of this world, and his superior knowledge and wisdom helped him
make his uphill battle with life easy and manageable, and his legacy will
surely live forever.
The particular
spiritual aspect we wish to elucidate in this record about Salman al-Fârisi,
God be pleased with him, deals with enduring one's challenges in this life with
patience and perseverance, to overcome anxiety with lucid faith, and the
benefit of giving things their proper worth.
423-
Anas bin Malik, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once said:
"The forerunners[XIX]
are four: I am the forerunner of the Arabs, Suhayb is the forerunners of the
Byzantines, Salmân al-Fârisi is the forerunner of the Persians, and Bilal is
the forerunner of the Abassinians."
A Wedding
In Kinda
424-
Muzâhim reported that
Salmân once told the story of his marriage to a wealthy woman from Kinda,
Persia. After the traditional wedding ceremony which took place at a relative's
house, Salmân's friends walked with him in a procession to the bride's house,
and when they arrived at her door, Salmân turned to his companions and said:
"Now you may return to your homes, may Allah reward you for coming to
bless this wedding." Hence, Salmân did not invite them to enter his
bride's house, nor did he introduce her to them as it were the so-called
civilized popular customs of the culture of the time in Persia.
When Salman
looked at the dwellings of his wealthy wife and found the house fully draped,
he commented: "Are your walls damaged by humidity or something so that you
had to cover them, or was the Ka'ba, the House of God Almighty, moved to
Kinda?" Hence, Salmân did not enter the house until all the decorative
curtains were taken down except for the curtain covering the main entrance
door. Finally, when he entered the house, he found it excessively furnished as
well, and he asked: "To whom does this furniture and their fineries
belong?" The family of the bride replied: "To you and to your
wife!" Salmân responded: "My bosom friend Æfc, upon whom be peace,
did not advise me thus. My bosom friend £& advised me not to append more
accessories and furnishings than a traveler would carry with him for a short
journey."
Salman then
saw several servants in the house, and he asked: "What are these female
servants doing here?" The family of the bride replied: "They are here
to serve you and your wife!" Salman pondered for a moment and said:
"My bosom friend 0&, upon whom be peace, did not advise
me thus. He advised me to only keep the woman I wed in my house. Should I
become attracted to their silkiness and femininity, and should I victimize any
of them, they would have brethen, and my sin will be equal to their."
Salman looked again, and he saw other maidens attending to his wife, and he
addressed them by saying: "Are you going to stay here all night? Wouldn't you
be so kind to leave me alone with my wife?" They replied in the
affirmative, and they withdrew and left the house. Salman followed them to the
door, and he locked the main entrance, and closed the curtain behind it.
When he
returned to his bride, Salman sat with her for a moment, and he gently anointed
her forehead with his hand, prayed for God's blessings upon their union, and he
said to her: "Would you be willing to do something if I ask you?" She
replied: "I am sitting in the company of a sire who must be obeyed."
Salman then said: "My bosom friend Í&, upon whom be peace, advised me
that when I join with my family, we should first join together in praying to
Almighty Allah, and to do what pleases Him." Following that conversation,
Salman and his bride went to separate quarters in their house for prayer, and
they prayed as much as God willed. When they concluded their prayers, they
joined together in their matrimony, and Salman satisfied in her what a husband
satisfies with his wife, and she satisfied in hi what a wife satisfies in her
husband.
In the
morning, some of his friends saw him, and they asked him: "How did you
find your Persian wife?" Salman ignored their question, and turned to the
other side. His friends insisted on asking the same question again, and Salman
pretended not to hear it. On the third time, he retorted: "God Almighty
created the curtains, the veils, and the doors to conceal what is behind them.
Therefore, must one of you ask a question, it should relate to what he
witnesses, and on the other hand, what is veiled to his knowledge, he should
refrain from investigating it. I heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say:
'Whoever talks about his wedding night to a friend, the bride and the groom
will be like two donkeys mounting one another in the open.' "
425-
Also in reference to the
above account, and prior to Slamân's wedding in Kinda, Ibn 'Abbas, God be
pleased with him, said: "One time, Salman returned from a journey, and
Omar bin al-Khattâb came out to welcomed him, saying, T truly accept and
recognize your trueness to your Lord, and I am proud of you as a servant of God
Almighty.' In his reply, Salman said, 'If you think so, then give me a woman
from your family in marriage.'"
Omar remained silent.
Seeing that, Salman commented: "You accept me as a true servant of Allah,
and yet you do not accept me to become your in-law?"
Salman went to his house,
and in the morning a delegation from the family of Omar knocked at his door,
and Salman said to them: "Is there something you need?" They replied:
" Yes indeed." Salman asked: "First of all, what is it? And
then, I do not know whether I have the means to satisfy what you want!"
The people said, 'We have come to ask you to halt your intention of betrothal
to Omar's family.' Salman replied: "I swear by God Almighty, it is not his
political status or influence that I sought! When Omar welcomed me the way he
did, I said to my self that he is indeed a righteous man, and perhaps Allah
will bring out of my seed and his seed a blessed servant."
Ibn 'Abbas, God be
pleased with him, continued: "Hence, the question of betrothal to Omar's
family was put aside, and later on Salman got married to a most beautiful and
rich woman from Kinda, Persia..." ibid.
426-
'Abdul-Malik bin Juraij,
narrated that Zâthân al-Kindi said: "We once visited 'Ali, God bless his
countenance, and the people felt happy in his company, and they found him in a
comforting pleasant mood. Someone asked, 'O prince of the believers, tell us
something about your close companions.' 'Ali replied, 'Which one of my
companions do you want to know about?' They said, 'The companions of God's
messenger Ufa, upon whom be peace, of course!' 'Ali further inquired,
'All of the companions of God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, are my
companions. Which one do you want me to talk about?' They replied, 'Tell us
about those of whom you spoke most reverently, and affectionately, and who are
most blessed, — tell us about Salman al-Fârisi!' 'Ali, God bless his
countenance, then said, 'Who else besides Salman do you expect to be a gnostic
of the prophetic caliber of Luqmân al-Hakïm? Salman is one of us, the family of
ÂI al-Bait, the household of God's messenger and he is a blessed
treasure of which we all benefit. He fathomed the primal knowledge and the ultimate
one, and he read both the primal book and the last revelation. Surely, Salman
is an inexhaustible ocean of knowledge.' "
427-
'Ammar bin Zuraiq
narrated, re Umu Ddardâ', the wife of Abu Darda', that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be
pleased with him, once visited Abu Darda” house, and he found Umu Ddardâ', his
wife, looking unhappy, apathetic, and disinterested in her appearance. Salmân
asked her: "What is disturbing you, O Umu Ddardâ'?' She replied:
"Your brother Abu Dardâ' has no more interest in women. He fasts his days,
and prays all his nights!" Salmân then turned to Abu Dardâ' and gently
said: "Surely your family has rights upon you. Surely you can pray, rest,
and fast, and you may also break your fast as well!"
When the story
reached God's messenger ëè, upon whom be peace, he commented: "Indeed,
Salmân is endowed with great knowledge."
428-
In another narration of
the above account, 'Aoun bnu Abi Juhaifa narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be
pleased with him, once visited Abu Dardâ', and he found his wife Umu Ddardâ'
emotionally upset and neglectful of her appearance. Salmân asked her:
"What is upsetting you?" She replied: "It seems that your
brother Abu Dardâ' has lost interest in this world. He stands up all night in
prayers, and he fasts his days!"
Later on, Salmân
invited Abu Dardâ' to visit him, and he presented him with some food. Abu
Dardâ' replied: "I am fasting." Salmân said: "I will not eat
until you eat!" Abu Dardâ' felt some pressure to share food with Salmân,
hence, he broke his fast and stayed overnight at Salman's house. In the middle
of the night, Abu Darda' walk up to pray, Salman was up, and he delayed him for
a moment and said, 'O Abu Darda', surely your Lord has rights upon you, your
family has rights upon you, and your body has rights upon you! Give each one of
them their due rights. Therefore, you may fast, break your fast, sleep, and
have marital relations, etc.' "
"Before dawn, Salman
said to Abu Darda', 'Let us go now.' Hence, they refreshed their ablution,
prayed two rak'ât at the house, after which, they went to join the
congregational prayer at the mosque. As soon as God's messenger Ofc,
upon whom be peace, finished leading the prayers, Abu Darda' went to him and
told him what Salman did. God's messenger reiterated, 'O Abu Darda', surely
your body has rights upon you ...' and he repeated everything, exactly as
Salman said it."
429-
'Amru bnu Murra narrated,
re Abi al-Bakhtari that a man from the tribe of Bani 'Abbas travelled once with
Salman al-Farisi, and when they reached the Dajla, Tigris River, they
stopped to drink some water. Salman said to his companion: "Drink
more!" The man replied: "My thirst is quenched." Salman
instanced: "Do you see how much your drink of water has decreased this
river?" The man replied with astonishment: "And what could a man's
drink of water decrease of this giant river?" Salman replied:
"Knowledge is like that! It is an ocean, and it does not diminish. Take
from it what benefit you."
430-
'Ubaid bin Wâqid narrated
that Salmân al-Fârisi once said to Huthaifa: "O brother of the Tribe of
Bani 'Abs, knowledge is an ocean, and surely one's span of life in this world
is too short to encompass all of it, and no one can ever encompass all of it.
Get the share of knowledge which is most advantageous for your religious
success, and forgo the balance. You do not have to suffer its greater
hardships."
431-
Al-Thawri narrated that
Tariq bin Shahâb once desired to learn about the nature of Salman al-Fârisi's
devotion, so he invited himself and stayed overnight at his house. Salman
understood Tariq's intention, and he opted to provide an easy to follow
tradition that common people can comply with.
At Salman's
house, Tariq bin Shahâb stayed up most of the night only to find out that just
shortly prior to the fajr, dawn prayers, Salman woke up, took his
ablution, and he prayed two rak'àt sunna prayer at home prior to
attending the congregational prayers at the mosque. It seems that Salman's
performance did not meet with Târiq's expectations, and hence, he inquired
about it. After the mourning prayers, Salman used this opportunity to address
the question in public, wherein he said: "O people! You must be keen in
your devotion, and you must observe the obligatory five daily prayers, for they
are protection against evil, and they are penance for the expiation of one's
own failures, as well as they wash away sins committed in-between the two
prayers by one's limbs, with the exception of the major sins."
432-
Tariq bin Shahâb narrated
that Salman said: "Once people offer their nightly Tsha prayers,
they branch into three distinct ranks:
(1) One person looses and he does not benefit from his prayers;
(2) another person is blessed by his attentiveness to his devotion,
and therefore, he is free of indebtedness; and, (3) a third person comes out of
his prayers empty handed, he earns nothing, and owes nothing."
"As to
the first person, he takes advantage of the darkness of the night and of
people's sleep to indulge in evil doing, hence, he loses and does not benefit.
The second person takes advantage of the darkness of the night and of people's
sleep to stand up all night in prayers, hence, he benefits and he owes nothing,
and finally, the third person, earns nothing and loses nothing, for as soon as
he finishes his nightly prayers, he goes to sleep until dawn. O Brothers!
Forthermore, try not to indulge in deep investigation of others' performances.
Instead, take advantage of your own opportunities, persevere, and be
steadfast."
433-
Abu Buraida narrated that
God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, said: "Gabriel, the Trustworthy
Spirit (ruhu'l Amin), descended upon me, and he told me that Allah, the
Most Exalted particularly loves four people from among my companions."
People asked: "O messenger of Allah, who are they?" He replied:
" Ali, Salman, Abu Tharr, and al-Miqdâd."
434-
Anas bin Malik, God be
pleased with him, narrated that he heard God's messenger upon whom be peace,
say: "Paradise particularly yearns to meet four of my followers, 'Ali,
al-Miqdad, 'Ammar, and Salman."
Embracing Islam
435-
Abu't-Tufail 'Âmir bin Wâ'ilah
narrated that Salman al- Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "I come
from the Tribe of Jai, from of Isbahan, Persia, and the people of my town used
to worship snow-white Caucasian horses.[XX]
In my heart, I knew that what they worshiped lacked substance and had no truth
to their claim of its divinity. I often inquired about God Almighty, and one
day, I was told by a wise man: "You will find the true religion you are
seeking in the West of Persia."
One day, I
left my homeland, and I traveled as far West as the city of Mosul, in Northern
Iraq. Thereat, I inquired about the city's most renowned gnostic, and I was
directed towards a hermitage, wherein lived a monk who worshiped the Almighty
Allah, the Lord of the universe. When I arrived to his cell, I introduced
myself, T am a man from the East, and I have come to seek what is good. If you
agree, I wish to remain in your company, I will serve you here, and in return,
I wish you to teach me some of the knowledge with which Allah has endowed you?'
The monk accepted, and hence I remained in his company as long as Allah
intended. My master shared with me his limited ration of grains, vinegar, and
oil, and thus we lived. One day, my master fell in his last illness, and when I
saw him dying, I sat near his head, and I cried. The monk said to me, 'Why are
you crying?' I replied, T am now faraway from my family and roots, and before I
found you, I had left my homeland in search of the truth, and indeed, Allah has
blessed me to meet you and to stay in your company, this long. You treated me
well, and you taught me some of what Allah, the most exalted, has taught you,
and now that death has come to take you, I do not know what to do, or where to
go!'
The dying monk replied:
"Do not worry. I have a brother who lives in such and such place. Go to
him, for he is on the right path, convey to him my best regards of peace, and
tell him that I have entrusted you to his care."
Salman
continued: "After his death, I traveled to the place he described, and
there I found the monk he told me'about, I said to him, 'Your brother so and so
synds his best regards of peace to you.' He replied, 'Peace and blessings be
upon him as well. Tell me his news?' I replied: 'He passed away.' I then
narrated my story, and I told him that his brother had instructed me to
accompany him. The monk accepted me, and I remained in his company as long as
Allah, the most exalted, intended, and he shared with me his food rations as
his brother did earlier. My new master also was advanced in age, and when he
fell in his last illness, I came and sat near his bed, and I cried over him. He
asked me, 'Why are you crying?' I replied, T left my homeland, and Allah
granted me the good company of so and so who was extremely good to me, and he
taught me some of what Allah taught him. On his death bed, he entrusted me to
your care, and indeed, you took good care of me, and you taught me some of what
Allah taught you. Now that death has come to take you, here again, I do not
know where to turn or where to go!'
The dying monk
replied: "Do not worry. I have a brother who lives on the way to Rome. Go
to him, for he is surely on the right path, convey to him my best regards of
peace, and tell him that I have ordered you to go to him, and that I have
entrusted you to his care."
Salman
continued: "After the death of the monk, I traveled to where he told me,
and when I reached the man the second master told me about, I said to him,
'Your brother so and so sends his best regards of peace to you.' He replied,
'Peace and blessings be upon him as well. Tell me his news?' I replied: 'He
passed away.' I then narrated my story, and I told him that his brother had
instructed me to remain in his company. The man accepted to keep me in his
company, he treated me well, and he taught me some of what Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, taught him."
Salman
continued: "The third monk was very old, and again, when he fell ill, I
sat near his bed, and when he saw me crying near his bed, he asked me, 'Why are
you crying?' I replied: "You know my story since I left my homeland, and
then Almighty Allah blessed me with your good company. Now that death has come
to take you, I still do not know where to turn or where to go!"
The monk replied:
"Not anywhere! In these days, my dear brother, I am not acquainted with
any living person who even follows the true religion of Jesus, the son of Mary,
peace be upon him. However, to the best of my knowledge, in this era, there may
have appeared, or yet to come, a messenger of God Almighty, in the land of the
Tribe of Tihâma, in the southwestern coast of Arabia, and who would reveal
God's message. After I die, stay here at my hut, and inquire from the traveling
caravans that cross this land. Ask the Arab Hijazite merchants whether a
prophet had appeared among them lately. If they answer you in the affirmative,
then this is the one who is foretold by Jesus, peace be upon him. Among his
signs, you will see the seal of prophethood in-between his shoulders, he
accepts and eats from a gift, and he does not eat from charity."
Salman continued:
"After the man died, I stayed in his hermitage and whenever a caravan
passed by, I inquired, 'What country do you come from?' Finally, one day, a
caravan from Mecca came by me, and when they told me that they were from Hijâz,
I asked, 'Has there appeared among you someone who claims to be a prophet?'
They replied, 'Yes, indeed!' I said: 'Would someone among you accept me to be
his slave for the price of carrying me on the back of his camel, and feeding me
the needed chunk of bread until we reach Mecca, and when we arrive there, he
can either sell me as a slave to someone to recuperate his money, or he may
keep me for himself.' Someone in that group said, T will do that.' Hence, I
became his salve, and he carried me behind him and fed me the little morsel of
food I needed per day until we reached Mecca. Therein, the man used me to work
for him in a date plantation field along with other slaves he owned."
"One day, I took a
walk through the streets of Mecca, and by chance, I met a woman servant who had
come originally from my homeland. I chatted with her, and I was extremely happy
to speak again in my mother tonguë. I was also happy to learn from her that her
master and her entire household had secretly accepted God's message of Islam,
and that they follow His messenger ££. I asked the woman to tell me where to
find God's messenger upon whom be peace, and she told me that he usually sits
with his companions near the Black Stone at the Ka'ba, and that they gather
there from the time you hear the cockcrowing of the Meccan cock, and they
disperse after dawn and before the sunrise."
"That
evening, I cut short my stay with my co-workers, claiming to have some stomach
irregularity, in fear that they may discover my intent. I stayed up all night,
and at the right time before dawn, I went to the Ka'ba, and I found God's
messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, sitting by the black stone, and his
companions were sitting in a semi-circle before him. I was coming towards them
from behind, and as I neared the gathering, he knew my intention, and he
allowed his cloak to slip down his shoulders. I looked astonishingly, and I saw
the seal of prophethood in-between his shoulder blades. I breathed a sigh oí
comfort, saying to myself, Allahu Akbar (surely Allah is the greatest),
this is the first sign my teacher told me about."
"The
following night, I did the same thing with my companions, so that they would
not discover my plans or question of my intention, and in fear that they would
report me to our master. I also kept some dates aside, and just at the right
time I knew that God's messenger upon whom be peace, would be meeting with his
companions, I went to the Ka'ba again, and when I reached them, I gently placed
the dates before him. He asked me, 'What is that?' I replied, 'A charity!'
God's messenger iji, upon whom be peace, then said to his companions, 'Eat from
it.' However, he did not touch them. I again breathed a sigh of comfort, saying
to myself, Allahu Akbar (surely Allah is the greatest), this is the
second sign my teacher told me about."
"On the
third night, again I did the same with my co-workers, and before dawn, I
brought some dates to the gathering at the time when God's messenger Ofc,
upon whom be peace, gathered with his compahions by the Ka'ba. This time, when
I placed the dates before him, and when he asked me, 'What is this?' I replied,
'A gift!' He immediately reached them, he ate some, and the people did the
same. I immediately exclaimed, T bear witness that there is no god except
Allah, and I bear witness that you are His messenger.'"
"After I
sat there for a moment, God's messenger upon whom be peace, asked me to relate
my story. When I told him what happened, he said to me, 'Go and buy back your
freedom.' "
Salman
continued: "When I reached my companion-master, I said to him, 'I have
come to buy back my freedom!' He replied, 'Yes indeed! I will give you back
your freedom for the price of planting one hundred seedlings of date palm
trees, and when I verify that they all took roots, and that they are free from
disease, you also must bring me the weight of a date pit in gold, and only then
you may go free.' "
Salman said:
"I went back to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and I related to him
what the man said. He replied, 'Give him what he asks of you, and also bring me
a bucket of water from the well you will use to irrigate the plants.' "
"I
immediately went to the man, and I made the deal with him following the
conditions he stipulated. With his permission, I then filled a bucket of water
from the central well in the plantation field, and I took it back to God's
messenger upon whom be peace, who in turn prayed over it. God's messenger also
asked the companions to collect and to give me the needed one hundred
seedlings, and when they did, I went back, and I planted the seedlings."
Salman
continued: "I swear by God Almighty that not a single seedling failed us,
and as soon as the man verified that, I went back to God's messenger and told
him the same. God's messenger then called upon the companions to bring him a
piece of gold of the weight we agreed upon with the man, and again, I
immediately went back to the man and placed the piece of gold before him. When
the man placed his specified measure on the other scale of the balance, my
piece of gold seemed to weigh more, for nothing moved, and the man accepted the
barter."
"I
brought back to God's messenger the date pit that determined the conclusion of
the deal, and he looked at it and commented, 'I swear by Allah, that even if
you had agreed with him to give him the weight of such and such measure of date
pits, the piece you gave him would weigh more.' "
Salman
continued: "From that day on, I went to God's messenger upon whom be
peace, and I stayed in his company until the end."[XXI]
436-
Yazïd bin Abi Habib narrated,
re Abi al-Tufail al-Bakri, that Salman al-Farisi told him: "I come from
the city of Jai (in Asbahan, Persia). One day, the Almighty Allah inspired my
heart to ponder the question, 'Who created the heavens and the earth?'"
"Hence,
prompted by such concerns and inner quest, I sought an old man I knew, who
spoke very little and who, out of self restraint, had kept a distance from the
city people. When I reached him, I asked, 'What is the best of religions, (way
of life)?' He replied, 'Why would you want to talk about this subject? Are you
seeking a religion other than that of your fathers?' I cautiously answered:
'No, I am not, but I would like to know, 'Who created the heavens and the
earth, and what is the best religion to follow?' The old man said to me, 'To my
knowledge, only one monk follows the true religion today, and he lives in the
city of Mosul, in Iraq.'"
"Hence, I
traveled to Mosul, and I found the monk I was told to meet. Thereat, I stayed
with him, and I worshiped what he worshiped. He was an old man, and he lived on
little provisions. He fasted all his days, and he prayed all his nights.
Approximately, three years later, at his deathbed, I asked him, 'You must
advise me what to do now, and where to go?' The man replied, T know of no one
in the East who believes and worships what I worship. Go West. Find a monk I
once knew and who lives at the edge of the Arabian peninsula, and give him my
regards of peace.'"
"After
the monk died, I traveled to where he told me, and I found the man he
described. I conveyed to him the greetings of his brother, and I told him of
his death. Thereat, I remained in his company for another three years, and
again, at his deathbed, I requested him to guide me where to go after he dies.
He replied, 'I am not acquainted with any one on this earth today who worships
what I worship except for a very old monk who lives in the region of 'Amoriya,
in Philistine, and I am not sure whether he is still alive!' " "After
the monk died, again I traveled to where I was told, and luckily, I found the
man he described to me. Thereat, I stayed with him, and this time, the man was
financially comfortable. Sometimes later, when he neared his death, I sought
his advice, and I inquired from him, 'Where do you want me to go after you
die?' He replied, T am not acquainted with any living person who worships what
I worship. However, if you happen to live in a time, where a man from the
descendants of the House of Abraham, upon whom be peace, will appear, — and I
am not sure whether you will live to meet him or not! — I myself have had a
strong desire to live to meet him, however, if you should meet him, then follow
him, for that is the true way,and that is the religion of God Almighty. Among
his signs, is that some of his people will label him a magician, an insane
person, and a prognosticator. He accepts and eats from what is given to him as
a gift, and he does not eat from charity; and you will also see the, seal of
prophethood in-between his shoulder blades.' "
Salman
continued: "I resided in my place for a while, and one day, a caravan of
merchants from Madina crossed out path. I inquired from them, 'Who are you?'
They replied, 'We are merchants. We make a living from trading. However, there
appeared a man from the descendants of Abraham in Mecca, and he migrated to
Madina, and the entire city is now under his control. As a result, his people
from Mecca have declared war on him and on his followers, so we feared for our
livelihood, and therefore, we decided to seek shelter and safety somewhere else.'
"
"I asked,
'What are they saying about him?' The merchants replied, 'They say that he is a
magician, a prognosticator, or maybe he is an insane person!' Hearing that, I
said to myself, 'These are his signs.' I further inquired, 'Who is the leader
of this caravan, would you please guide me to him?' When I came before the
leader of the caravan, I requested him, 'Would you please take me to Madina?'
He replied, 'What would you pay me?' I said, T have nothing to give you, but if
you agree to carry me there, I will be indebted to you, and I will be your
slave.' The man accepted the barter, and he carried me to Madina. Thereat, he
placed me to work for him at a date plantation he owned, and I worked there
very hard. I seldom had any food, and I mostly lived on water, just like
cattle, until the bones of my back protruded, and I could see my pectoral
bones. I did not know Arabic then, and not many people in that city spoke my
Persian tongue."
"One day,
an old woman of Persian origin came by the date plantation to get some water.
When I spoke to her in my mother tongue, she understood me, and as we chatted a
little, I asked her, 'Do you know that man that appeared lately, and would you
please point him out to me?' She replied, 'He usually passes by here after the
dawn prayers, or sometime in mid-morning.'"
Salman
continued: "The next day, I kept some dates aside, and I waited for him.
As he passed, I followed him to the mosque, and as he sat amidst his
companions, I went there, and I presented him with the dates. God's messenger
upon whom be peace, looked at them and then-said to me, 'What is this? Is it a
charity or a gift?' I understood what he meant, and I made a gesture pointing
out that it is a charity. He immediately said, 'Give it to these people sitting
here.' As I did, I said to myself, 'This is one of his signs.' The next
morning, I brought another measure of dates and placed them before him. God's
messenger upon whom be peace, again inquired, 'What is this?' I hastened to
say, 'A gift!' He then ate one, and he called his companions to share them with
him. He then saw me stealthily attempting to look over his shoulders. He
recognized my intention, and he allowed his cloak to slowly drop below his
shoulders, and when I saw what I saw, I became bewildered, and I jumped out of
my place, I kissed him all over, and I held tight to him. God's messenger upon
whom be peace, then asked me, 'What do you want?' And after I told him my
story, he said, 'You sold yourself to these people and chose the condition of
slavery in order to come here, and now, you must go back to them, and buy back
your freedom.' " ibid., {See Account 433)
437-
Sulaimân al-Taymi
narrated that Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased with him, said: "I served a
dozen of masters, one after another, before I met God's messenger £&, upon
whom be peace."
438-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib,
God be pleased with him narrated that Salman God be pleased with him, said:
"God's messenger upon whom be peace, entrusted us with a promise which
none of us fulfilled. He said, 'Suffice yourselves in this world with as little
provisions as a traveler carries on a short journey,' and we all failed to
follow his admonition."
439-
In another narration of
the above account, al-A'amash reported that Sa'ad once visited Salman during
his last illness, and he said to him: "Be happy O Abu 'Abdullah! When
God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, passed away, he was most pleased with you." Salman replied:
"How is that O Sa'ad? I heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say,
'Suffice yourselves with as little provisions[XXII]
in this world, and as much as a traveler may carry with him on a short
journey.' "
440-
Again in another
narration of the above account, al- A'amash narrated that Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss
visited Salman during his last illness when Salman cried. Sa'ad inquired:
"Why would you cry when you will soon reunite with your beloved
companions, you will see and drink from the Hawdh, the pond of eternal
satisfaction of God's messenger upon whom be peace, and when you know that
God's messenger upon whom be peace, passed away, he was pleased with you!"
Salman
replied: "I am not crying in fear of death, nor am I in any way attached
to this world, but I happen to remember the words of God's messenger ÎÈ, upon
whom be peace, saying, 'Suffice yourselves in this world with as little
provisions as a traveler carries with him on a short journey,' and here I am,
and when I just look around me now, and I saw all these luxury pillows
surrounding me, this made me cry!"
Sa'ad bin Abi
Waqqâss, God be pleased with him, commented: "I immediately looked around,
and I saw nothing but a timeworn washing basin next to his bed!"
Sa'ad then
asked Salman: "Advise us O Abu 'Abdullah. We want to make a covenant with
you, and which we promise not to break after you pass." Salman replied:
"Remember your Lord when
you endeavor
something, remember Him when you judge something, and remember Him when you
raise your hand to pledge something."
441-
Mawriq al-'Ujali narrated
that after Salman's death, they searched his house, and they found no more than
a day's provision for a single person, a saddle blanket, a couple of cooking
utensils, and no more than twenty dirhams."
442-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that al-Hassan, God be
pleased with him said: "Salman was once commissioned to govern over about
thirty thousand men, and he was given a salary of five thousand dirhams, most
of which he distributed in charity. Once he had spent his wage, he never
solicited more. His light infrequent meal sometimes did not exceed more than a
handful of dates or grains, and he lived a simple modest life. Salman had a
single oversized timeworn cloak which he rolled up and held by hand to ease his
movement, and when he delivered a sermon, half of it was hung over his
shoulders, and he stood over the other half."
443-
'Abdul A'alâ bin Abi
al-Masâwir narrated that al-Harith bin 'Umaira said: "I once went to the
marketplace in the city and I met some friends with whom I chatted a little.
Somewhere within the range of my view, I noticed a man wearing an old worn
garment, and he was sitting in front of his house, busy wielding a red leather
belt. When he perceived that I noticed him, he looked at me, nodded his head,
and he made a gesture with his hand, and he shouted, 'O servant of Allah, wait
in your place for me!' I immediately stood up and I asked my friends, 'Who is
that man?' They replied, 'This is SalmânÎ' Meanwhile, the man went inside his
house, and he came out shortly after that wearing a clean white robe, and he
cheerfully hastened towards me, shook hands with me, and he then said to me,
'How are you doing?' I was in shock, and I said to him, 'O servant of Allah,
who are you? We have never met before this day, nor do we know each other! What
do you want?' Salman replied, 'But of course! I swear by Him Who holds the
destiny of my life that as soon as I saw you, my soul recognized your soul. Are
you not al-Hârith bin 'Umaira?' I said in amazement, expecting him to explain
himself, 'Indeed I am!' He continued, T heard God's messenger £&, upon whom
be peace, say, 'Souls are loyal soldiers.
Among them,
those who recognize the sovereignty of Allah will know one another and live in
harmony; while those that negate the sovereignty of Allah, will disagree and be
indifferent towards one another.' "
444-
Müsa al-Jahni narrated
that 'Atiyya bin 'Âmer said: "Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him,
was once invited to a meal at a companions's house, and as a gesture of
pleasure in hospitality and love for his guest, the host insisted earnestly on
Salman to eat more, Salman pulled out, excused himself, and said, 'Enough for
me! That is enough food for me. God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, once
said to me, 'People who eat their fill in this world, will be the most hungry
in the hereafter. O Salman, this world is a confinement for the believer, and
it is a paradise for the disbeliever.' "
445-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God
be pleased with him, used to regularly shave his head, and when someone asked
him about it, he replied, 'God's messenger upon whom be peace, said, 'True life
is that of the hereafter.'
446-
Habib bin al-Shah "d
narrated that 'Abdullah bin Buraida said: "Salmân used to earn his
livelihood by working with his hands, and when he earned some money, he used to
buy meat, or fish, and invite the deprived ones to share in his meal."
447-
Abu Ghaffâr narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "I like to earn my
livelihood from my own sweat, and I like to work with my own hands."
448-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "If only
people know how much help Allah grants the weak, they would never take pleasure
in showing off the excess Allah endowed them with."
449-
'Abdullâh bin Siwàr narrated
that Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once had the intention to
betroth a woman from the Tribe of Bani Laith, and he took Abu Ddardâ' with him
to ask for her hand in marriage on his behalf. When they arrived
1 i.e., The
true comfort and delight of living is surely that of the eternal life in the
abode of the hereafter.
to that
family's house, Salman waited outside, and Abu Ddardâ' sought permission and
entered to speak to her father. Abu Ddardâ' spoke highly of his friend Salmân
al-Fârisi, his illustrious qualities, his early acceptance of Islam and his
lofty companionship of God's messenger upon whom be peace. Abu Ddardâ' then
informed the family of Salman's intention. The girl's father replied: "We
will not give our daughter in marriage to Salman, but should it be your wish,
we will be honored to give her hand to you in marriage!" Abu Ddardâ' felt
favored and honored to accept the offer, and sometimes later, and under the
circumstances of the moment, he only came out of the house hours later being
married the girl.
When Abu
Ddardâ' came out of the house, he said to Salmân: "Something else happened
here today, and I am ashamed to tell you about it!" Salmân asked:
"What is it, and why where you there so long?" When Abu Ddardâ' told
him the story, Salmân congratulated him and remarked: "I am the one who
should be ashamed of himself before you my brother, and for seeking to betroth
a woman Allah has destined her to be your wife!"
450-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that a man once visited Salmân al-Fârisi, God
be pleased with him, and saw him engaged in kneading a dough for backing h|is
daily bread. The man was surprised, and he commented: "What are you doing!
Do you regularly do that yourself?" Salmân replied: "I heave sent my
helper in an errand, and I hate to impose two jobs on him in the same
day." The man then said: "I bring you the greetings of so and
so." Salmân asked: "When did you arrive to this town?" The man
replied: "It's been some time since I arrived to this town!" Salmân
then commented: "To convey someone's greeting is a trust, and should one
fail to deliver it at the time he reaches his destination, he will be asked
about it on the Day of Judgment."
451-
Muhammad bin 'Abdullâh al-Hadhrami
narrated that al- Ash'ath Ibn Qays and Jurair bin 'Abdullâh al-Bajàli once
stayed in Madina, but they had never met Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with
him. One day, they arrived from a journey to Syria, and they asked to see
Salmân, and after greeting him, one of them inquired: "Are you Salmân
al-Fârisi?" He replied in the affirmative. The man then asked: "Are
you the bosom companion of God's messenger upon whom be peace?" Salman
replied: "I do not know what do you mean by that!" The two men became
suspicious, and they said to one another: "May be he is not the man we are
looking for?"
Hearing that, Salman
said: "Indeed, I am the man you are looking for, and I have seen God's
messenger àè, upon whom be peace, and I sat with him. However, his true
companions should be the ones who will ultimately enter paradise with him on
the Day of Judgment. Now, tell me what do you want?" They replied:
"We were sent by one of your brethren who lives in Syria, and who had
asked us to visit you." Salman asked: "Who is it?" They replied:
"Abu Ddardà' " Salman smiled as he asked the two men: "Then
where is the gift he sent me with you?" The two men looked surprised by
the question, and they replied: "He did not trust us with anything to
bring you!" Salman continued insisting and pressuring the two men:
"Fear Allah, and deliver the trust. No one has ever visited me, coming
from his side, but carrying a gift from my brother for me."
The two men became
agitated, as they replied: "Do not accuse us of such allegation. If you do
not trust us, here is our merchandise, keep it in your custody until you
receive news from him." Salman said: "I have nothing to do with your
merchandise. Just give me the gift my brother has entrusted you to bring
me!" The men replied: "We swear by God Almighty that he did not send
you any gift with us. He just said that 'There is a man who lives in your city,
and whenever God's messenger upon whom be peace, sat with him, he did not wish
that anyone else join them. Therefore, should you meet him, please convey to
him my regards of peace.' Salman then said: "And peace upon him as well.
This is it! What better gift do you want me to expect you to carry from my
beloved brother? And is there a gift better than the regards of peace — a
bounteous and a blessed salutation from Allah, the Lord of majesty and
glory?"
452-
Al-A'amash narrated that
'Abdullah bin Hanzala said: "We once joined a campaign lead by Salman
al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him. One evening, we were sitting listening to a
recital from Suratu Maryam,[XXIII]
and someone in the audience became extremely upset, and to the point that he
insulted her and her son! We immediately jumped at him and hit him without
mercy in defense of God's messenger Jesus and his mother, upon both of whom be
peace. The injured man went to Salman, the commander of the army then, and he
reported us to him. Immediately, Salman came to see us, and he said firmly,
'Why did you people beat this man?' We replied, 'We were reading Suratu
Maryam, and he unjustly insulted her and her son!' Salman said: 'And why do
have to challenge people's feelings? Have you not heard Allah, the Lord of
Majesty and Glory's say, < Do not insult those who call upon lords besides
Allah, thus causing them to insult Allah in ignorance, and without knowledge
(of what they are saying) > (Qur'an 6:108). Salman then turned to the
people who had gathered around him by then, and he addressed them, saying, 'O
Arabs! Did you not at one time uphold the most evil - so called - religious
practices humanity has ever known? And did you not at one time live below most
standards humanity has ever known? And is it not true, that later on, Allah has
blessed you with the religion of Islam, and He honored you with His generous
gifts? How dare are you now to raise the might of Allah against other people,
an authority He alone disposes of? I swear by Almighty Allah, that either you
stop such unwarranted provocations, or expect Allah, the Lord of Majesty and
Glory, to strip you off His gifts and bounties and hand them over to other
nations.' "
A. bin Hanzala
continued: "Salman then taught us the correct Islamic stance towards other
faiths, and he said, 'Join your two nightly prayers (Maghrib and Tsha)
by regularly reading the Qur'an inbetween them. By doing so, a man renders his
reckoning easy on the Day of Judgment, and by occupying himself in reading the
Qur'an during such times, he can spare himself any nonsense associated with
social gatherings that usually take place at the early part of the evening, for
indeed, inequities in the beginning of the night can only beget havoc by the
end of it.' "
453-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Huthaifa once said to Salman al-Fârisi,
God be pleased with both of them: "O Abu 'Abdullah, let me build a house
for you?" Salman looked at Huthaifa and showed a degree of despise towards
his suggestion. Huthaifa realized what happened and he further explained
himself, saying: "Slow down. Let me explain myself. I meant to build you a
house, wherein, your head will lay at one end, and your feet at the other, and
when you wish to raise your head, it will hit the ceiling." Salman, having
understood it to mean a grave, he replied: "You seem to have read my
mind!"
454-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated that Salman once said to Jurair: "O Jurait! Do you
know what is darkness on the Day of Resurrection?" Jurair replied:
"Nay, I do not know!" Salman said: "On the Day of Resurrection,
darkness represents the deeds which people unjustly incur against one another
in this world." Salman then took a tiny straw, he closed his fist on it,
and said: "You cannot even find a straw like this in the garden of
paradise!" Jurair shook and said: "O Abu 'Abdullah! Then what about the
palm trees among others described in the prophetic traditions?" Salman
replied: "The trees of paradise are created of different substance. Their
roots and trunks are created of pearls and gold, and their fruits blossom at
the top."
455-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with
him, said: "On the Day of Judgment, the most sinful people among the
Muslims, are those who cater to confabulations and sinful casual conversations
in this world."
456-
Al-Thawri narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "I sometimes count the
leftover bones in a pot, in fear that I may falsely suspect my servant of
stealing."
457-
Al-A'amash narrated that
a man from the Tribe of Ashja' said: "The people of Madâ'in, Iraq, once
heard that Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, was praying at the
central mosque of their city. Within a short time, nearly one thousand man came
out to meet Salman and to greet him. Every one felt a special honor in being
there, and every one took great pleasure in welcoming him, and to sit in his
company, and they aspired to hear him talk. Salman was touched by their
overwhelming welcome, and he kept on humbly thanking them, and asking them to
sit down! When every one finally sat down, and the atmosphere was favorable,
Salman stood up, and he opened the Qur'an, and started reading to them from Surat
Yusuf.[XXIV]
Slowly, slowly, the crowd started to break up, and they thinned down
to about one hundred man. When Salman suddenly looked up and noticed what
happened, he became upset, and he addressed the remaining people, saying, 'Have
you come here to listen to flowery and ornate personal opinions or what? And
now, when I read to you from the glorious Book of Allah, the most exalted, you
leave?'"
458-
In another narration of
the above account, al-Thawri quoted Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him,
to have also said at that occasion: "Have you gathered here to hear a
personal ornate speech or what? Do you only sit down if you are entertained with
a verse from this chapter, mixed with a verse from that chapter, or else you
leave...?"
459-
Imam al-Bakhtari narrated
that a man once said to Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him: "It is
a wonder how great and kind hosts are people today! By God, whenever I visit
one of them, he makes me feel as though I am staying with my own father's
son." Salmân replied: "O my brother's son. This is most natural. It
is the remarkable achievement and the legacy of faith and Islam. Don't you see,
when you first load an animal with merchandise, it wants to move forward at
once! At the beginning of its journey, it embarks with speed and assiduity, and
when it finds out that there is still a considerable distance to be covered, it
slows down!"
460-
'Atâ bin al-Sâ'ib
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "There are
two sides to every human being, inner and outer. When one corrects his inner
disposition, Allah will make his outer being look more beautiful, hence, when
the people see that, they like him, and when one tarnishes his inner being with
sins, Allah will make his outer being look contemptible."
The Idol Worshipers & The Fly
461-
Tariq bin Shahâb narrated
that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, delivered a sermon, wherein he
said: "Once upon a time, two men travelled together and had a unique
experience with a fly. When they died, one of them entered hell-fire because of
it, and the second entered paradise because of it as well." The people
inquired: "What happened to them?" Salman replied: "In times past,
two men once traveled together. On their way, their journey led them to a
pathway, whereat, they met with a group of people who worshiped a deity they
made. The idol worshipers had placed their deity at a junction of the road, and
they imposed on every passerby to make an offering to their deity. When the two
men arrived at that junction, the idol worshippers said to them, 'You must make
an offering to our deity!' One of the men replied, T have nothing to offer!'
They said, 'You can sacrifice anything, even a fly will do!' The man consented,
and he immediatelylooked around, and he caught a fly and sacrificed it before
their deity, and the idol worshippers were extremely pleased with him, and
hence, later on, when the man died, he entered hell-fire because of his own
doing. When the idol worshipers required the same thing from his companion, he
replied, 'I do not offer anything before anyone except Almighty Allah.' The
idol worshippers argued with him with great anger, and they killed finally him,
and thus, when he died, he entered paradise because of his true faith."
462-
Jurair narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once said: "Even should a man
spend all his nights freeing slaves from bondage, yet, one who spends his
nights in reciting the Qur'an and celebrating Allah's praises (zikr) is
in a higher station."
463-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated a similar saying by Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased with him, who
said: "Even should a man spend his entire night fighting the enemies of
God Almighty, yet one who spends his night in reciting the Qur'an and
celebrating Allah's beautiful attributes (zikr) receives a greater
reward."
464-
Laith narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "Should Allah, the most
exalted, require one of His creation to suffer the consequences of his sins, or
should Allah decree the adverse outcome and destruction of one of His creation
because of his evil actions, He first deprives him of modesty and correctness,
so that whosoever sees him, he finds his appearance contemptible and
depressing, and once he becomes contemptible, mercy will be taken out of his
heart, and once he becomes merciless, his heart turns callous and ruthless.
Once he becomes ruthless, he will be stripped off trustworthiness; therefore,
whenever you see him, he will look unworthy of trust and a traitor in
everyone's eyes. At this point, his face will lose the radiant beauty of Islam,
and he then becomes damned, abominable, and accursed."
465-
Salam bin 'Atiyya
al-Asadi narrated that Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once visited
a dying man, and he prayed: "O Angel of death, be compassionate and kind
towards him!" The dying man turned to Salman and said: "The angel of
death have just asked me to tell you that he is most compassionate and kind towards
every believer."
466-
Abu Ishaq narrated that
Aows bin Dham'aj said: "We asked Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with
him, to teach us something new about supererogatory religious devotion, and he
replied, 'Greet everyone with the regards of peace, share your food with
others, and pray at night when people are asleep.' 7,1
467-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "Should a
Muslim stand alone in a vast desert at a great distance from his home, and when
it is time for prayers, should he take his wudhu' (ritual ablution), or
substitute that with a ritual tayammum, and then, when he calls out to
prayers and then establishes the prayers (iqamaf he will be leading
myriads of angels in prayers, no sight can behold the horizon where they
end!"
468-
! Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "If a man
spends his entire night freeing slaves from bondage, and another man spends his
night reading the Qur'an, and invoking the remembrance of Allah's (zikr),
the second man would be in a higher state."
469-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, said: "If a man
spends his entire night fighting the evil spirits, and another man spends his
night remembering zikr Allah, and reading the Qur'an, the second man
would realize a superior status."
1 i.e.,
Greeting everyone with the regards of peace will spread unity; inviting people
to share one's food will promote mutual love, affection, and satisfaction; and,
praying at night when people are asleep will promote one's own spiritual
excellence, and brings him closer to his Lord.
470-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ' wrote a letter to Salman
al-Fârisi, God be pleased with both of them, inviting him to visit Jerusalem:
"Come to the blessed holy land!" In his reply, Salman wrote back to
Abu Ddardâ': "Surely a land does not make one holy, but good deeds are
what render the human being holy."
Salman also wrote in his
letter: "I am told that you have become a physician. If in fact you are
able to cure people's illnesses, then enjoy the blessings. Otherwise, if you
merely self-profess such degree of medical knowledge and dexterity, then beware
that should you accidentally kill someone with your diagnosis or with your
prescribed medication, you will enter hell-fire for murdering another human
being."
471-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once said: "The parable of the
heart and of the human body is like that of a blind man who lives with a
disabled companion. The disabled companion (i.e., the heart) once said to the
blind man (i.e., the body), 'I see a fruit tree nearby, but I cannot reach it
on my own, carry me there, and I will guide you to it.' The blind man did what
he was told, and when they reached the tree, they both ate from it and enjoyed its
fruits."
472-
Al-Mughïra bnu
'Abdu-Rahmân narrated that Salmân al- Fârisi once met 'Abdullâh bin Salâm, God
be pleased with both of them, and in the course of their conversation, Salmân
said: "Should you die before me, then, God willing, come and tell me about
your findings, and should I die before you, and God willing, I will come and
let you know about what happens "
Salmân died first, and
'Abdullâh bin Salâm saw him in a dream and he asked him: "O Abu 'Abdullâh,
how are you doing?" Salmân replied: "I am well." 'Abdullâh bin
Salâm then asked: "What deeds in this world receive the best of rewards in
the hereafter?" Salmân replied: "I find tawakkul 'ala Allah
(reliance and unswerving dependence upon Allah, the most exalted), for all of
one's needs receive the most phenomenal reward."
473-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, was once talking about
the story of the wife of Pharaoh, Âsiya, God be pleased with her, who died in
the dungeon of Pharaoh's palace of torture at the hand of her husband and his
men, because of her faith in Allah and her acceptance of the truth of the
messengership of her adopted son, God's prophet Moses, upon whom be peace.
Salman al-Fârisi said: "During her torture, 'Asia suffered excruciating
pain at the hands of her prosecutors, and sometimes the the angels would cover
her with their wings, and this protected her from feeling pain, and she would
be able to see her dwellings in paradise, and towards which she kept on
aspiring."[XXV]
474-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased with him, said: "Nemrod
starved out two lions, and then released them to devour God's bosom friend,
Abraham, upon whom be peace, but when the lions reached him, and by God's
leave, they stood before him with reverence, and they both lovingly licked him
all over and then prostrated themselves at his feet."
475-
Abi al-Bakhtari narrated
that Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, had a female servant from
Persian descent, and he once spoke to her in her Persian tongue, and said:
"Prostrate yourself even once before Allah!" She replied with
disdain: "I do not prostrate to any one!" Someone asked Salman:
"O Abu 'Abdullah, what would she benefit from a single prostration?"
Salman replied: "Each link is an important part of a chain, and perhaps
should this woman accept to offer a single prostration before God Almighty,
then this may lead her to regularly engage in offering the five times prayers.
In fact, one who has a share in the blessings of Islam is not equal to someone
who has naught of it."
476-
AI-A'amash narrated that
Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once visited a friend from Kinda,
Persia, who was ill. In the course of their conversation, Salmân said to his
friend: "When Almighty Allah tries His faithful servant with adversities
and then cures him, the servant's sufferings become atonement for his sins, and
his reckoning on the Day of Judgment will consist of censure. On the other
hand, when Allah, blessed be His Name, tries a brazen insolent person with
adversities, and then cures him, the latter becomes like a pack animal who is
hobbled by his owner and later on he was unloaded, yet the burro does not
understand why did his owner disencumber him, nor does it realize why was he
hobbled to begin with."
477-
Safwân bnu 'Amru narrated
that Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, once said: "The parable of
a believer in this world is like that of a patient under the direct supervision
of his physician. The physician knows the patient's illness and cure. Should
the patient desire a variety of food that otherwise would hamper his recovery,
the physician will say to him, 'Do not touch this food, if you do, it will kill
you.' Hence, the physician will keep on advising his convalescing patient, and
he will enjoin on him a strict diet until he is completely recovered. Like
that, a believer may desire many comforts in this world, some of which, Allah,
blessed is His holy Name, has availed as worldly favors bestowed upon other
than His particular cherished servant. Therefore, Allah, the most exalted, may
deprive His true servant from many desirable comforts in this world, and He may
further prevent them from reaching him, and He will do so over and over, and
until He takes back his soul, and only then will He let him enter the paradise
of eternal bliss."
478-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased with
him, said: "Three things make me laugh, and three things make me cry. I
laugh at someone who stretches his hopes in this world, being unmindful of
death which is steadily seeking to end his life. I laugh at someone who is
heedless and unaware that Allah is not unmindful of him. And finally, I laugh
at someone who grins from ear to ear, unaware whether his loud laughter is
pleasing to his Lord, or perhaps whether it is incurring His wrath. On the
other hand, I cry for missing the fellowship of Muhammad upon whom be peace,
and his companions. I cry when I think about a man experiencing the throes of
death, and his grief and agony with his overwhelming newly unveiled encounter.
And finally, I cry when I think about my having to stand up on the Day of
Reckoning before Almighty Allah, blessed is His Name, not knowing whether I
will be thrusted into hell-fire, or let to enter paradise!"
His Death
479-
Muhammad bin 'Abdullah
al-Hadrami narrated that Baqira, the wife of Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased
with him, said: "When death approached Salman, he was staying in a room on
the second floor of the house. His room had four doors, one facing each
direction. Salman called me and said, 'O Baqira, today I am having special
guests who are neither jin nor humans. Leave all the doors wide open, for I do
not know through which of the doors will they enter.' "
The wife
continued: "Salman then asked me to bring some powdered musk mix it in
water, and to sprinkle it around his bed. When I did so, he said to me, 'You
may go downstairs now and wait there, when you come up later, you will find me
on my bed.'
Baqira further
continued: "I did what he asked me to do, and sometime later, when I went
to see him, I found him laying in his bed, his soul had departed, and he looked
peaceful, just like someone resting."
Also among our
peers and sires of the believers, the blessed companion of God's messenger Ufa,
upon whom be peace, there lived great thinker and a gnostic, Abu Ddardâ', God
be pleased with him. His true understanding awakened in him constant
remembrance of his Lord Whom he recognized correctly, and he cherished His
gifts. Both in times of comfort as well as in times of adversities, Abu
Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, pondered incessantly upon the work of the
Divine Lord. He nestled comfortably in his niche of continuous devotion, and he
forsook any interest in materialism. He was most devoted to his spiritual life,
and he was most eager to meet his Lord. Once he became free from worldly
concerns and worries, the gate of true understanding became open before him.
Here are few of the âthâr (accounts) of this blessed companion of God's
messenger êfc, upon whom be peace, and who was endowed with true knowledge and
wisdom.
On this
subject, it is said that the fruit of spiritual success lies within enduring
intense yearning for one's beloved with quietude and serenity, and to submit
willingly to the supreme power of the Lord Who draws nigh unto Himself
whosoever He pleases, and to Whom, ultimately, everything will return.
480-
Abu Zar'a al-Dimashqi
narrated that after Abu Ddardâ' died, 'Aoun bnu 'Abdillâh bnu 'Utba asked Umu
Ddardâ', the wife of Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him: "What was the
best form of devotion Abu Ddardâ' offered?" She replied:
"Contemplation upon the divine work, and deference for the divine admonition."
481-
Qays bin 'Ammar al-Duhni
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once said: "To
contemplate upon the work of Almighty Allah for one hour is greater than
standing up in supererogatory prayers for an entire night."
482-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that someone asked Abu Ddardâ' to advise him,
he replied: "Remember Allah when you are comfortable, He will remember you
when you are in difficulty, and when you set your eyes upon something in the
world, think about how it will end!"
483-
Sufyân al-Thawri narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once passed by two oxen in the work
field. One of them was working, and the other was stretching out. As soon as
they saw him, the one working stopped and looked, and the second ox stood up.
Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, commented: "Surely there is a lesson
one must learn from this incident!"
484-
Al-'Alâ bin al-Musayyib
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once said: "I was a
merchant (in Mecca) when God's messenger upon whom be peace, proclaimed the
divine message of Islam. At that time I wanted to combine business and
devotion, but it did not work out that way. Finally, I renounced the business,
and I eagerly sought true comfort in religious devotion. I swear by Him in
Whose presence my soul stands, I would not even wish to own a shop adjacent to
the main gate of the mosque, whereat, I will never miss a congregational fajr
prayer at dawn, and even if it were to bring me a net forty dinars every day,
and which I would spend freely in their entirety in charity."
Someone asked:
"What is wrong with that?" Abu Ddardâ' replied: "I fear the
rigorousness of our accountability before Almighty Allah on the Day of
Reckoning."
485-
In another narration of
the above account, al-A'amash narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with
him, said: "I was a merchant before Muhammad Si, upon whom be
peace, was sent as the messenger of God Almighty. When he proclaimed the
message of Islam, I kept my business alongside a common degree of spiritual
devotion. I did so painstakingly and with great toil for sometime, but it did
not work for me, nor did it bring me any spiritual satisfaction. Soon after
that, I gave up trading, and I devoted my life entirely to worship."
486-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "It would not be my greatest pleasure to open a vending shop at the
threshold of the mosque, and even if it were to bring me three hundred dinars
of net business per day, or even if it would help me, by being their, not to
miss a single congregational prayer at the mosque. I am not saying that Allah,
the Lord of majesty and glory, did not make trading permissible or that He did not
forbid usury, I am only desiring to be among those, < Men who are not
distracted from remembering Allah by traffic or by selling merchandise, and who
establish their prayers regularly, who pay their due alms, and who fear a Day
(of Reckoning), when the hearts and the visions are caught by uncertainty and
apprehension (as to the final outcome of their judgment.) >" (Qur'an
24:37)
487-
'Abdullâh, son of Imam
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God be pleased with him, said: "I read before my father
a narration wherein 'Aouf bnu Malik said, 'I once saw a vision in my sleep,
wherein I was walking with people I could not identify, and there was a tent
with a dome made of animal skin, and the place was surrounded with green
pasture, and herds of sheep were grazing; some were resting, and others were
chewing cud, and scattering the fields with their dung. I asked, 'Whose tent is
this?' I was told that it belonged to 'Abdu-Rahmân bnu 'Aouf, who incidentally
was a very successful merchant and an extremely rich man. We waited until he came
out from under his tent, and I said to him, 'O 'Aouf! This is the only material
comfort that we have earned because of our faith and pursuit of the Qur'anic
admonition. Yet, if you only look behind that trail, you would be able to
behold, what your sight has never laid eyes upon, you would hear (i.e., learn)
what your ears could never have perceived otherwise, and you would find
something your heart could have never thought of, — all of which, Allah, the
Lord of the universe, and the most exalted has prepared to reward Abu Ddardâ';
and all of that gratifying reward is because, during his entire life, Abu
Ddardâ' unfailingly resisted and rejected any comfort in the world, and every
time worldly attractions paraded themselves before him, he repelled them."
488-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "Whosoever does not recognize Allah's infinite bounty except in his
food and drink, has little or no rewarding deeds, and his real sufferings are
near; and whosoever is not rich beyond the need of this material world, he has
neither understood the reality behind it, nor will he ever be comfortable in
it."
489-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "How infinite is
God's bounty even in a still plant."
490-
'Amru bnu 'Abdu-Wâhid
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "You will be
safe as long as you love the best amongst you, and as long as you acknowledge
just and constructive criticism when they befit you, for whosoever recognizes
what is just and true is like the one that does them."
491-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that al-Qâsim bin Muhammad said: "Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased
with him, was one of Allah's servants whose virtues are stated in the Qur'an,
and he was 4 Endowed with knowledge > {Qur'an 28:80).
492-
Ja'far bin Barqân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "What an awful
end awaits someone who does not know, and had it been Allah's will, He would
have taught him; and the end that awaits a learned person who does not act upon
what he knows is seven times more awful!"
493-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
once said: "You will not become fully learned (Arb. faq'ih) until
you realize that the Qur'an contains varying levels of depths. Furthermore, you
will not become fully learned until you stand on the side of Allah, blessed is
His name, and despise the class of evildoers for the sake of your love for Him,
and after you do that, you should go back to yourself and despise its own
failures more than you despise others."
494-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "One of the
signs of man's true understanding (fiqh), is his compassion towards
himself by adopting a simple life."
495-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
once said: "The sign of man's true understanding (fiqh) also
involves his personal conduct, where he goes, from where he comes, whom he sits
with, and his perseverance in oft-soliciting to sit in the company of the
learned ones."
496-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "It is indeed a blessing when the so-called smart people oft-sleep
through their nights and do not observe supererogatory fasting during the day,
for how can they find fault in the devotion of those whom they label as stupid
people who stay up long nights in prayers and read the Qur'an, who incessantly
celebrate Allah's praises (zikr), and who observe voluntary fasting?
Surely the value of an atom's worth of a good deed of pious person, besides the
surety of his faith, is greater and more beneficial than mountains of devotion
by self-deceived, moralizing, canting, and presumptuous people."
497-
Bishr bnu Músa narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Do not ask people to do
more than what they are required to do, or to exert more what they are capable
of doing, and do not judge people when only their Lord holds such authority. O
son of Adam, just take care of yourself. For one who pries into the affairs of
others will be afflicted with the disease of an extended and oft-recurring
periods of depression, and he will not be able to overcome irritation,
frustration, and infuriation."
498-
Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaiba
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Worship Allah
as though you can see Him. Regard yourselves as though you have joined the
dead, and understand that having a little that suffices you in this world is
better than having a lot that distracts you from your true objective. You must
realize that birr (trueness) in one's deeds is a virtue, and virtues
appreciate in value and they do not depreciate. You must also remember, that
not even the slightest remote sin is ever forgotten."
499-
Khalid Ibn Dinar narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Blessings are not
measured by the size of your wealth or by the number of your children, rather
they are measured by the maturity of your forbearance, the breadth of your
knowledge, and in vying with other devotees in worshipping God Almighty. At
that stage, when you do good, be grateful and praise the Almighty Allah for
guiding you, and when you fail, ask Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, to
forgive you, and implore Him to help you out of it."
500-
Sa'id bin Abi Ayoub
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Had it not been
for three blessed favors, I would not have liked to remain in this world."
Someone asked: "What are they?" He replied: "1) To prostrate my
face before my Creator and Lord in submission and adoration, and to do so
throughout the rotations of the day and the night, and to know this to be the
preface of my life in this world and its introduction to the hereafter; 2) to
maintain the struggle of keeping up the control over my desires and thirst for
the forsaken habits; and, 3) to sit in the company of exalted people who chose
their words in the same way one picks up the better fruit on a plate."
Abu Ddardâ', God be
pleased with him, then said: "The epitome of piety is when the servant
shows reverence to Allah, blessed is His Name, and when the servant fears the
consequences of wrongdoing. That is when one shields himself with piety against
any breach of the divine law, and when he upholds justice, even if it concerns
an atom's worth in the balance of right and wrong. Therefore, a believer must
pursue such thin edge of the balance of righteousness to the degree of giving
meticulous attention to every detail, and even if it leads him to the point of
withholding from taking in much of what is lawful in fear of becoming victim to
unforeseen ramifications. Allah, blessed is His Name, has surely identified
such ramifications for His creation when He defined the law, saying: <
Whosoever does an atom's worth of good will harvest its reward, and whosoever
does an atom's worth of evil will reap its consequences > (Qur'an 99:7).
Therefore, do not overlook the ramification of committing the slightest
wrongdoing, and do not belittle the importance of doing of good deeds which may
sometimes seems insignificant."
501-
Salem bin Abi al-Ja'ad
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Why do I find
your scholars departing from this world, and yet your ignorant ones refuse to
learn? Surely the one who teaches what is good and beneficial and the one who
learns them receive equal reward; and besides these two categories, humanity is
at loss."
502-
Yahya bin Ishaq narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "There are three
categories of people in this world: 1) A learned; 2) a student, and 3) a
useless dreg."
503-
Al-Dhahhâk narrated that
upon noticing some dislike on the part of the residents of Damascus, Syria, to
hearing the admonitions of Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him; he gave a
sermon, wherein he said: "O honorable people of Damascus! You are indeed
our brethren in the religion of Islam, you are our neighbors, and you are our
helpers against our common enemy. Tell me what is preventing you from showing
kindness to my presence amidst you? I have not come here to solicit your
support. Surely my livelihood depends on someone other than you. Why do I find
your learned ones departing steadily from this world, and your ignorant ones
refusing to learn? I find you eager to grab what you are already guaranteed to
receive from God Almighty, while you have forsaken what you are commanded to
do! Let me remind you of a story of an earlier nation who had worked and built
a city of strong foundations, they amassed excessive wealth, and they stretched
their hopes beyond their means. One day, their strong edifices turned
upside-down on them and became their graves, their ambitions deceived them, and
their hands became barren of what they collected. I advise you to acquire the
required knowledge and to teach it to others, for the scholar and the student
receive equal reward, and there is no benefit in anyone besides these two
categories."
504-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "You hear me asking you to do something which I myself may sometimes
fail to practice, and yet, I still hope that Almighty Allah will reward me for
suggesting what is good and beneficial."
505-
Dhumra bin Habib narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "One does not become
truly pious unless he becomes learned, and one does not enjoy the beauty and
benefits of his knowledge unless he practices what he knows."
506-
Bishr bnu Músa narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, used to say: "When I
contemplate the Day of Judgment, I immediately begin to fear to be asked the
question, 'You were endowed with knowledge, so tell Us, what have done with
it'?"
507-
In another narration of
the above account, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God be pleased with him, reported
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "The most serious
question I terrified to be asked on the Day of Reckoning, is, 'O 'Uwaymir![XXVI]
Where you a learned person or an ignorant one in the world?' — Being ignorant
in the world, one knows thè consequences, — and should I reply, T indeed have
acquired knowledge,' then there will not be a single revealed verse in the
Qur'an commanding the believers to do good, or a verse forbidding them to
indulge in what is prohibited that I will not be required to meet the
consequences of failing to fulfilling them. Therefore, I seek refuge in Allah,
blessed be His Name, against acquiring a knowledge from which one does not
benefit, I seek refuge in Him against having a craving or a greed in this life
that is insatiable, and I seek refuge in Him from a prayer which He
disregards."
508-
In another narration of
the above account, Qutaiba bin Sa'id reported that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased
with him, said: "The most I fear on the Day of Reckoning, is to be called
forth before the entire creation, and should it be said to me, 'O 'Uwaymir! Did
you learn the truth in the world?' And when I reply, 'Yes indeed, I learned the
truth!' And the, the next question will be, 'How did you perform?' "
A Letter
To Salmàn al-Fârisi
509-
Al-Hassan bin Sufyan
narrated that Abu Ddardâ' once sent a letter to Salmân al-Farisi, God be
pleased with both of them, wherein he wrote: "My dear brother, take
advantage of your health and independence today, before a day comes, wherein
people will suffer a most horrifying calamity as a divine justice, and which
they will have no power to eschew. My dear brother, ask a believer who is
suffering from a calamity to pray for you, and take advantage of his prayers,
for his supplications will surely be answered favorably. My dear brother, make
the mosque your house, for I have heard God's messenger áfc, upon whom be
peace, say that, 'Allah's mosques are the house of every pious person.' Indeed,
Almighty Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, has guaranteed such people who
regard His mosques as their house to strengthen them with a spirit of His own,
to give them comfort and peace, to make their passage over the bridge of
judgment (sirât) easy, and to receive them at the end of their crossing,
having won the cheer blessings of their Lord. My dear brother, have compassion
towards orphans. Bring them nigh unto you, and feed them from your own food. A
man once complained before God's messenger ëÈ, upon whom be peace, about the
roughness of his heart. God's messenger upon whom be peace, then said to him,
'Would you like your heart to soften?' The man replied, 'Indeed I do!' God's
messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, said, 'Then befriend the orphans, be
compassionate towards them, bring them nigh unto you, comfort them, feed them
from your own food, and your heart will then soften, and you will be able to
win success in your life.' "
Abu Ddardâ'
continued: "O my dear brother, do not amass more money than what you are
capable of thanking Almighty Allah for. I have heard God's messenger upon whom
be peace, say, 'On the Day of Judgment (Youm al-Hisâb), and on the
bridge of judgment (sirat) , a man will walk ahead of the money which he
paid its dues, and every time he staggers or hesitates, his money will say to
him, 'Go forward, for you have paid your dues! On the other hand, a man who did
not obey Allah's commands concerning his monies, he will be impelled to walk
the awful crossing of the bridge of judgment, and he will be forced to carry
his money on his back. In his stress, every time the weight of his money causes
him to stagger, and as he stumbles and falls, time after time, his money will
impel him and rebuke him, saying, 'O man! What an awful destiny is awaiting
you! Why didn't you use me according to Allah's commands?' As the crossing
becomes harder and harder to bear, and as the man keeps on hearing the rebuke
of his money, his depression heightens, his legs tremble, and his steps keep on
failing to obey him until he breaks down, and he bursts out crying, pleading,
for his own annihilation, but to no avail.' "
"My dear brother, it
came to my knowledge that you have acquired a servant, and I have heard God's
messenger upon whom be peace, say, 'The 'abd (servant) remains the
recipient of Allah's favors, and Allah remains his Provider and Helper, as long
as he does not become a beneficiary of others' servitude. Once he does, then he
also becomes subject to accountability.' O my dear brother, I was once
financially comfortable, and when my wife, Ummu Ddardâ' saw that, she asked me
to hire a servant to help her in her daily chores, but when I reflected upon
the reckoning associated with such comfort, I disapproved, and I discounted the
idea. And now, my dear brother, who do we have to guarantee us, when we reach
the Day of Judgment, that you and me can be unconcerned of the just, accurate,
and scrupulousr'divine reckoning? My dear brother, do not burst with pride
because of your fellowship with God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, a
unique blessing you and me have once enjoyed, for indeed, we have lived an
short span of life after him, and only Allah knows what actually befell us
since he left."
510-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that the caliph, Yazid bin Mu'âwiya once
asked Abu Ddardâ' for the hand of his daughter in marriage, but Abu Ddardâ'
declined the offer. Later on, someone who frequented the court of Yazid
privately remarked to Abu Ddardâ': "May Allah help you correct your
attitude; nevertheless, since you do not wish to accept him to become you
in-law, then would you give me permission to betroth your daughter?" Abu
Ddardâ' became upset, and he scalded the man, saying: "Get out of here.
You do not need to incur my fury!" The man temperately reiterated his
offer, saying: "May Allah help you have a better attitude, give me
permission to marry your daughter." Hearing that, Abu Ddardâ', God be
pleased with him, thought about it for a moment, and he consented, saying:
"You have my permission." Hence, with the daughter's consent, and
after the wedding, the event became the talk of the town, and the people kept
on talking about 'Yazi’d, the son of Mu'âwiya, who asked to betroth the
daughter of Abu Ddardâ', and that he was rejected, and then when a common poor
Muslim tested his chances, Abu Ddardâ' accepted him.' When the hearsay reached
Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, he defended himself, saying: "I
thought about it, and a thought flashed in my mind, what will happen to her
faith should my daughter al-Ddardâ' wake up one morning to see maidens at her
head and feet, and should she look around her and see the glitters and fineries
of palaces and spacious homes! I then I said to myself, how far my daughter
will then be from the religious norms and environment she grew up to know?
Hence, this thought helped me to make my decision."
511-
'Abdullâh bin Muhammad
al-Makhzoumi narrated that Dâwoud bin Mihrân said: "I was a young boy when
I stopped by al-Fudhayl bin 'lyâdh, and I paid my respects to him, saying,
'Peace be on you,' but he did not reply. Al-Fudhayl's eyes were wide open, and
I thought that he was looking straight at me, but yet I waited long enough
before he suddenly look down, and he addressed me, 'For how long have you been
standing here my son?' I replied, 'For some time!' Al-Fudhayl then said,
'Excuse me my son, you and me are occupied in entirely two different thoughts!'
"
512-
Abu 'Aouf ' Abdu-Rahmân
bin Marzouq narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once said to
him: "One must be aware not to be caught oblivious of being reprobated by
the hearts of the believers." Abu Ddardâ' then asked Sâlem bin Abi al-Ja'ad:
"Do you understand what this means?" Sâlem replied: "No I do not
understand that, explain it to me!" Abu Ddardâ' said: "It indicates
that the servant is indulging privately in immoral actions that incur Allah's
displeasure. The Almighty Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, will
then cast such reprobation towards that person in the hearts of His pious
servants. They in turn will reflect such stance towards the sinner, and most
likely, he will not recognize what is causing them to loath him and to treat
him with despise!"
513-
Ahmad bin Ishaq narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once prayed: "O Allah, I seek
refuge in Your divine protection from the hearts of the scholars should they
ever curse me!" Hassan bin 'Atiyya heard Abu Ddardâ's prayer, and he asked
him: "How do the hearts of scholars curse you?" Abu Ddardâ' replied:
"They do so if they despise me."
514-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once said: "It is
better to hearken to the censure and criticism of your brother than to loose
him. Otherwise, who else can assume such unfeigned and integral relationship
but him? Hearken to your brother and soften your attitude towards him in order
to protect your unique human bond with him. Beware not to follow the insinuations
of someone who is jealous of your brother, otherwise, you could become a
jealous person just like him! Tomorrow when the angel of death comes to collect
your soul, you will surely realize how awesome is your loss, when you are laid
in your grave, and when you become prisoner to your loneliness, or should your
brother die before you do, then why would you cry for your separation, when you
realize how wrong was it to rupture your relationship with him when he was
still alive?"
515-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God
be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once
said: "If only you knew what you will certainly see upon your death, you
would never again eat a single bite out of a craving appetite, and you would
never again drink an extra sip of water for the pleasure of an unquenchable and
insatiable thirst. Hence, you will remain outdoor in perpetuity, bewildered and
awaiting the unexpected, and you will never again seek comfort in a shelter or
seek a shade. You will wander aimlessly and climb the hilltops of every
mountain, you will look up towards the heavens and beseech your Lord for mercy,
and you will beat on your chest and cry endlessly, and you will wish that your
were a little vegetable — a plant which is protected to grow, and then plucked
to be eaten by a hungry person passing along."
516-
Khalid bin Ma'dân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him» said: "The epitome of
faith is to endure patiently the judgment of the Just Lord, to willingly accept
one's fate as the inheritance of one's own doing, to have sincerity in one's
dependence and reliance upon his Lord, and to wholly accept and surrender (Islam)
to the Lord of majesty and glory, the Creator, Originator, Sustainer and
Controller of every life form."
517-
' Abdu-Rahmàn bin Muhammad
al-Muharibi narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once sent a
letter to one of his brethren, and after greeting him with the peace of Allah,
blessed be His Name, he wrote: "My dear brother, remember that there is
nothing which is in your possession today that did not belong to someone else
before you, and which will not soon become the trust of someone else after you.
The only benefit you can partake of what is under your you control today, is
the way you use it to allow your soul to reap its benefits tomorrow! Therefore,
give preference to charitable deeds over and above beefing up the size of the
inheritance of any one of your righteous children, and whom you do not know how
will he use it! Otherwise, you will pass from this world to stand before
someone Who will not excuse your failure, meanwhile, you would have worked hard
in this world to bequeath one who will be grateful to someone other than you.
The wealth you worked hard to amass in this world will eventually culminate in
one of two possibilities: 1) It will either fall into the hands of someone who
will use it in obedience to Allah's commands, and whose deeds will benefit him,
while you would have worked hard and deprived yourself of the benefits of such
deeds; or, 2) it will fall into the hands of someone who disobeys Almighty
Allah, blessed be His Name, and who will use it in an evil way, whereby you
will share in his punishment and sufferings for what you have bequeathed him to
nurture his weaknesses. I swear by Almighty Allah, blessed be His Name, that
neither of the above-described two categories of people is more worthy than
yourself to receive Allah's mercy, and none of them merits more than you what
you have worked hard and sweated to bequeath them to pacify their life and to
assuage their comfort in this world after you depart from it. The best you can
do for them is to pray for their sake. Ask for Allah's mercy for those who
died, and as for those who will remain the dwellers of this world after you
die, trust that Almighty Allah, blessed be His Name, has guaranteed their
sustenance, as well as that of everyone else, and for as long as they dwell
herein. I bid you peace."
518-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that when the bangs of death descended upon
Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, he shook and sweated profusely while
fumbling in a low voice: "Is there anyone who wishes to prepare for a day
like the one I am having today? Is there anyone who wishes to prepare for an
hour like the one I am now experiencing? Is there anyone who wishes to prepare
himself for his final lay down helplessly as I am today?" Abu Ddardâ', God
be pleased with him, then read from the divine revelation addressing the
hypocrites: 4
We will surely cause their hearts and eyes utter confusion, just
as it happened to them at first when they heard the message, and deemed it
untrue 4 (Qur’an
6:110).
519-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
used to say: "Woe unto him, and what an agony is awaiting one who cares
only about amassing money in this world! Woe unto him who opens his mouth agape
and drools at hearing the sound of money, who looks aghast, just like an idiot
when he thinks about it, who stares at what people have, and who does not see
what he has; and if he could, he would pursue such an obsession by day and
night. Woe unto him! What an austere reckoning and a grievous punishment are
awaiting him!"
520-
Ismâ'ïl bin Tyâsh
narrated that whenever Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, passed a funeral,
he used to say: "Go ahead, we will surely follow you. Go back to your
Lord, and God willing we will tomorrow follow you. This is the strongest
admonition the human being will ever bear witness to. Surely this is a soul
shaking moment, a heedless and an oblivious person will most likely overlook.
People will depart from this world, one after the other, and yet, the latter
ones will remain unprepared, and he will stick to his hot temper and his lack
of patience and endurance."
521-
Mu'âwiya bin Qurra
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "I love three
things which most people hate, 1) poverty; 2) illness; and 3) death."
522-
In another narration of
the above quote, Shu'uba narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "1) I love death because of my yearning to meet my Lord; 2) I love
poverty because it forces me to stand humble before my Lord; and 3) I love
illness because it embodies penance and atonement that expiate my sins before I
meet my Lord."
523-
Sa'ïd bin Abi Hilâl
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "O citizens of
Damascus! Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? You hoard more than what you can
eat, you build dwellings you do not inhabit, and you stretch your hopes beyond
your reach! Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? Before your time, there lived
nations that were more conscious of what they harvested, they designed plans
and pondered seriously what they aspired for, and they built their cities with
great anticipation for a lasting future, and yet, what they gathered turned
into ruins, what the hoped for and anticipated deceived them, and their
dwellings were turned upside-down to become their graves! Think about the
ancient nation of Sodom, they filled in-between Eden and Oman with wealth and
children, and now look at what happened to them? Is there anyone among you here
today, who is in his right mind, and who would buy from me the entire
inheritance of the people of Sodom for two dirhams (i.e., two pennies)?"
524-
Safwân bnu 'Amr narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "O wealthy pèople! Use
your money today as you are commanded by Almighty Allah, blessed be His Name,
to cool down the intense heat of hell-fire tomorrow, and before you and us
become equally penniless in our graves. Today, both of us are looking at our
monies, but with opposing concerns."
Abu Ddardâ',
God be pleased with him, further said: "I fear for you to develop a covert
desire and to become fascinated with a divine favor regarding your worldly
achievements that will distract you from what should be your ultimate goal.
This too will happen on the day when food will be aplenty, and when you fill
your stomachs to satiety, but yet, you will hunger for true knowledge."
"surely,
the best amongst you is one who says to his friend, 'Let us make the intention,
and together, observe a fast for one day before we die! On the other hand, the
worst and most evil amongst you, is one who says to his friend, 'Let us enjoy
ourselves and take advantage of today, let us eat and drink to satiety, and
have fun before we die."
525-
Safwân bnu 'Amr narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once passed by a gathering of people
who were building a house, and he commented: "You work hard to build this
world of yours, and Allah, blessed be His Name, has mandated that it will
ultimately turn to ruins! Allah's decree will surely prevail."
526-
Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that when Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, would see an abandoned
ruin, he used to stop by it and address it, saying: "O ruin which took
place before the last destruction! Tell me, what happen to your dwellers?"
527-
Mu'âwiya bin Qurra
narrated that when Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, fell ill, some
companions visited him, and they inquired from him: "O Abu Ddardâ', what
is ailing you, and of what are you complaining?" He replied: "My
sins!" They asked again: "Is there anything you wish for?" Abu
Ddardâ' replied: "Paradise!" They further asked him: "Should we
call a physician to see you?" He replied: "He is the One Who confined
me to my bed."
528-
Muhammad bin Bishr
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "One who always
inspects what he has will eventually discover something missing, and one who
does not build up his patience to help him meet calamities will become their
victim. Consider this, if you praise the people, they will praise you, but if
you mind your own business and turn away from the people, they will criticize
you." Someone asked: "What would you advise me?" Abu Ddardâ',
God be pleased with him, replied: "Constantly praise the One Who will
surely bring you to account on a Day when your true poverty is exposed."
529-
Ismâ'ïl bin Ishâq
al-Sarrâj narrated that some people asked Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
to pray to Almighty Allah, blessed be His Name, on their behalf. Abu Ddardâ'
replied: "I do not know how to swim, and I am afraid of drowning."
530-
Shaibân bin Faroukh
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, used to say: "Three
things I fear for your sake: 1) The slip of the tongue of a scholar; 2) an
argument with a hypocrite about the Qur'an, although the Qur'an is true in its
entirety, and it carries a most resplendent light to guide the seekers, just
like that of a lighthouse; and finally, 3) I wish to state here that one who is
not spiritually rich beyond the need of this world has no world."
531-
Al-Aouza'i narrated that
a poor man once heard Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, pray: "Lord, I
seek refuge in You from the shattering of the heart." The man went to him
and asked: "What is the shattering of the heart?" Abu Ddardâ'
replied: "It is somehow similar to someone who gives me a large some of
money in coins scattered between several distant valleys."
532-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin al-Mahdi
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Those whose
tongues are soothed with continuous hymns, (Arb. zikr Allah), glorifying
and celebrating Allah's praises, blessed be His Name, they will enter paradise
smiling."
533-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that someone told Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased
with him, that Abu Sa'ad bin Munbih bought and freed one hundred slaves from
bondage in a single night. Abu Ddardâ' commented: "To pay for the freedom
of one hundred slaves from the earnings of a single man is indeed a lot of
money, but if you want, I will tell you about a single deed which is greater
than that; — that is to be consistent in one's faith day and night, and to
soothe one's tongue with continuous hymns, glorifying and celebrating Allah's
praises, blessed be His Name."
534-
Ja'far bin Hamdân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "To glorify the
name of Allah, blessed be His Name, one hundred times is dearer to my heart
than to give one hundred Dinar in charity."
535-
Kathïr bin Murra
al-Hadhrami narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once said to
his companions: "Would you like me to tell you which of your deeds pleases
your sovereign Lord most and raises you in station, — a deed which is better
than mounting an expedition against your enemy, killing them, and being killed
by them, and a deed which is better than regularly giving money in
charity?" The people asked: "O Abu Ddardâ', tell us what kind of deed
is that?" He replied: "Always celebrate the zikr (remembrance
of Allah), glorifv and praise His divine attributes, blessed be His Name, and
continuously attest to the supremacy of Allah's divine sovereignty and control
over the entire creation, by solemnizing and continuously celebrating Allahu
Akbar (surely Allah is the greatest off all)."
536-
Abu Bakr Ibn Malik
narrated that Abu Ddarda', God be pleased with him, said: "There is not an
organ in the body of a believer which is dearer to Allah than the tongue, and
because of it, Allah permits the believer to enter paradise. On the other hand,
there is not an organ in the body of a disbeliever which is more abominated by
Allah than the tongue, and because of it, Allah casts the disbeliever into
hell-fire."
537-
Ibrâhîm al-Teemi narrated
that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "One who oft-remembers
death will have a little or nothing to rejoice about, and he will have less
envy and jealousy towards others."
538-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazid
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once prayed: "Lord,
let me die in the company of the true ones, and do not let me live in the
company of the evil ones."
539-
Muhammad Ibn Ishaq
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once prayed: "Lord,
let me not be tried with an evil deed, so that I may not be called an evil
man."
540-
Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaiba
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Whenever I
retire at night knowing that some people have not accused me of to blaspheme,
or crafted a fallacy against me, I also recognize that Allah, blessed be His
Name, has indeed favored me with His subtle kindness and protected me for that
day."
541-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "Whenever I retire at night, knowing that people have not committed
a blaspheme or crafted a fallacy against me, and whenever I wake up in the
morning safe from people's evil fallacies against me, I generally have a most
healthy day, both physically and spiritually."
542-
Muhammad bin Fudhayl
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said in one of his
speeches: "O ye people! Why do I find you most anxious and athirst to seek
what you are guaranteed to receive while neglectful of what you were entrusted
to perform? I certainly know your evil ones better than a veterinarian or a
blacksmith knows his horses. Such are those who drag their feet and come late
to prayers, who disinterestedly hearken to the Qur'anic revelation, and who do
not let go of their attachment to their property of slaves, although they
understand well that Islam has come to guarantee their freedom. Such are the
morally corrupt people."
543-
Al-Faraj bin Fadhâla
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Beware of the
divine justice in response to the call of the oppressed ones and the orphans,
for their prayers are answered right away, and the effects of the divine
retribution take place at night when people are asleep."
544-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "I dreadfully and extremely hate to commit an injustice against someone
who only calls upon Allah's justice and help against me."
545-
Muhammad bin Ishâq
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once saw Kurayb bin Abraha
riding a horse while one of his servants walked steadily behind him. Abu
Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, then commented, 'The distance separating
Allah, the Lord of glory and majesty, blessed be His Name, and His servant
keeps on widening as long as the latter requires someone to walk behind him in
obeisance like a peon in bondage."
546-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that whenever Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased
with him, heard the voices of people reciting the Qur'an in the middle of the
night, he used to say: "The mourners over their own souls insist on
holding tight to the rope of Allah regardless of what may come upon them on the
Day of Resurrection. They persevere in cooling the yearnings of their hearts
with the zikr (remembrance) of Allah, and by solemnly and regularly
rehearsing His revelation."
547-
Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaiba
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "Seek and
anticipate Allah's bounty all your life. Expose yourselves at all times to the
amplitude of Allah's presents, for Allah, blessed be His Name, has designated auspicious
presents filled with His divine mercy, and He, in His infinite mercy and
compassion, allots such blessings to whosoever He pleases among His obedient
servants, and whenever He pleases. Furthermore, beseech Allah, the Lord of
Majesty and glory, to veil your imperfections and weaknesses, and ask Him to
alleviate your sorrow and anxiety."
548-
Sa'ïd bin Wahab narrated
that a man once came to Abu Ddardâ' and said: "Teach me something I can
practice and through which Almighty Allah, blessed be His Name, will bless
me!" Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, faithfully replied: "I
will teach you two, three, four, or even five things, whosoever acts upon them
and observes their rights, Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, will exalt his
reward and raise his station to be among the most illustrious believers:
1) Eat only
what is permissible and healthy; 2) do not accept any money save that which is
blessed and lawful; 3) do not let into your house anything except that which is
beneficial and pleasing to Allah; 4) pray to Allah, blessed be His Name, to
provide for your earnings, one day at a time; 5) when you wake up in the
morning, count yourself among the dead, for then you are one step closer to
joining them; 6) entrust your guardianship to the sovereign Hand of Almighty
Allah, for He is the best of protectors; 7) should someone insult you, offend
you, or aim to fight you, then walk away from him, and do not avenge yourself,
let Almighty Allah exonerate and defend you; 8) when you do something wrong,
repent sincerely, and immediately pray for Allah's forgiveness; and finally, 9)
when you do something right, thank Allah, most exalted is His Name, for His
guidance and countless favors."
549-
Bakr bin Sawâda narrated
that Khalid bin Hudayr al- Aslami visited Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
during his last illness, and he found him in pain and sweating profusely. The
room was empty, and there he found Abu Ddardâ' laid on the floor on a thin
piece of hide, and he wore an old piece of lambskin, and next to him, there
also laid an old basket made of animal hide. Khalid said to Abu Ddardâ', God be
pleased with him: "If you wish, I will be happy to fit your bed with a
more comfortable woolen pad such as those provided to us by the Prince of the
Believers." Abu Ddardâ' replied: "We surely do need that, for we do
have a home, we will soon get there, and indeed, we toil awfully hard in this
world to reach it safely."
550-
Abu Shu'aib al-Harrani
narrated that some friends of Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, came to
visit him, and he welcomed them with adequate hospitality. Their visit carried
through the middle of the night, and they did not feel like returning to their
homes that night, so they slept in his house. Some slept on a piece of hide or
on a lambskin, and others slept on the bare floor with their clothes on. In the
morning, Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, apologized for his narrow means,
saying: "We have a home, and what we collect here determines what we will
have when we get there, and towards it we are unfailingly faring."
Sulaimân bin
Ahmad narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, was in Syria, and he
addressed his audience, saying: "O people of Damascus! Are you deriving
satisfaction in this world from merely filling your stomachs with wheat bread
year after year while the Name of Allah, the most exalted, is never mentioned
in your leagues? Why do I find your scholars trickling down in number, and
those who lack knowledge among you are not seeking to learn? Should the
intelligent ones among you use their brains, then God willing, they can expand
their knowledge, and should your ignorant ones solicit the true knowledge, they
will surely find it readily available and easy to reach! You must pay the dues
for what you receive from Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory. I swear by Him,
in Whose presence my soul stands, that no nation has ever perished except when
the people pursued their own fancies, praised their own devotion, and took pride in their
personal achievements."
551-
Abu Bakr bin Abi Dâwoud
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once saw a man walking in
the marketplace holding the hand of his child, whom he adorned and dressed up
beautifully, and the man seemed to take great pride in his son. Abu Ddardâ'
then made an audible comment, saying: "Adorn them as you please, and this
will surely help boost their ego and self deception!"
552-
Al-Aouza'i narrated that
a man came to Abu Ddardâ' and complained about his older brother who did him an
injustice. When Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, heard and verified the
account, he said to the man: "Do not worry, surely Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, will exonerate you, and He will grant you victory over your
brother."
Later that year, the
brother's wife gave birth to a son, and the man visited the caliph Mu'âwiya who
handed him a present of one hundred Dinars. Shortly after that, the younger
brother visited Abu Ddardâ' who in the course of the conversation said:
"You see, it happened just as I told you! Indeed Allah has exonerated you,
and He granted you victory over your brother. I heard that your brother has
begotten a son, and that Mu'âwiya awarded him a gift of one hundred
Dinars!"1
553-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "On the Day of
Resurrection, the most evil of people in Allah's sight, is a scholar people
could not benefit from his knowledge in the world."
554-
Abu Bakr bin Malik
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said: "What an awful
punishment awaits someone who lies, who disobey the commands of his Lord, and
who breaks the divinely witnessed covenant. Hence, regardless of what devotion
he observes, neither his speech nor his offerings will ever be regarded as
true."
555-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazi’d
bin Jâbir narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, said:
"O ye People! Your appetite, lust, and passion for the pleasures of this
world seem to grow increasingly afresh, just like those of a youth, when even
your collarbones are bent together of old age, except for 4 Those whom Allah
has tested their hearts, and qualified their piety to be true > (Qur'an
49:3), and alas, how rare are such true people today!"
556-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him,
said: "O son of Adam! You have the power to affect the outcome of three
things and to turn them to your advantage. 1) Never complain about your
difficulties; 2) do not tell others about your pain and sufferings; and 3) do
not praise yourself with your own tongue."
557-
Ahmad bin Yahya
al-Halwâni narrated that Whenever Abu Ddardâ' wrote a letter to Salman
al-Fârisi, he often reminded him of the miracle of the serving plate. We talked
earlier about this awesome miracle, when Abu Ddardâ' and Salmân al-Fârisi were
eating together from a plate, and when suddenly, the plate and the food
together started to praise Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His
Name, and in an audible human voice.
558-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Salman al-Fârisi was once visiting with Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with both
of them. Abu Ddardâ' went to light a fire under the cooking pot, when suddenly
he heard a sound coming from inside the pot. Abu Ddardâ' hearkened closely, and
to his amazement, he heard a soft human voice resembling that of a young child,
emanating from inside the pot, and praising Allah, blessed be His Name. Abu
Ddardâ' was further startled with reverence as the pot rose on its own, floated
in the air, and gently whirled a complete turn on its own axis before it
returned to its first position over the fireplace. Miraculously, not a single
drop of food spilled out of it, and the sound then evanesced! Abu Ddardâ' shook
in exhilaration as he shouted: "O Salmân, O Salmân! Come here, come here
and behold this wonder! Hurry on, come and see what neither you nor your father
have ever dreamt to see, come now!" From inside the room, Salmân replied:
"Alas! If only you had kept your quiet, you would have further heard the
resonance of some of the most magnificent and glorious signs of Allah, blessed
be His Name."
559-
'Abdullah bin Sa'ïd, son
of Rabi'a al-Dimashqi, narrated that one evening, late at night, Abu Ddardâ',
God be pleased with him, sought the mosque to pray, and as he entered the
mosque, he passed by a man in prostration who was praying: "O Lord, I am
afraid, and I am seeking shelter in the safety of Your custodianship. Lord,
shield me from Your punishment. I am a poor beggar beseeching You to endow me
with a favor of Yours. I am not a sinner who is justifying his wrongdoing, nor
do I have the means to protect myself against Your punishment, but here I come
before You as a repenting sinner. O Lord, accept my repentance."
Abu Ddardâ',
God be pleased with him, loved this supplications, so he memorized them, and he
taught them to his companions in the morning.
560-
Al-Faraj bin Fadhâla
narrated that Umu Ddardâ' once prayed to God Almighty, saying: "O Lord,
Abu Ddardâ' betrothed me in this world, and I am asking You to make me his wife
in paradise." Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, heard her prayer, and
he commented: "If you wish to become my wife in paradise, and if I am your
first husband, then do not marry any one after me."
Al-Faraj bin
Fadhâla continued: "Umu Ddardâ' was extremely beautiful, and she was a
most dignified looking woman. When Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, died,
the caliph Mu'âwiya asked for her hand in marriage, but she declined his offer,
and said, 'Let Allah be my witness, I will not marry another man until, God
willing, I rejoin Abu Ddardâ' in paradise.' "
561-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, once passed by a crowd
gathering around a man who committed a wrongdoing, and they were chastising and
rebuking him. Seeing that, Abu Ddardâ' said to them: "You see! Suppose
that you discover that your brother had fallen into a deep well, would you not
try to help him and pull him out of his predicament?" The people replied:
"Indeed, we would!" Abu Ddardâ' then added: "Therefore, do not
insult your brother because of his shortcoming. Instead, praise Allah, blessed
be His Name, Who has guarded you against committing such a sin, and Who
protected you against walking into the same predicament." The people said:
"Do you riot hate him for what he did?" Abu Ddardâ' replied: "In
truth, what I abhor is his act, and once he repents and refrains from
committing it again, he will always be my brother." Abu Ddardâ', God be
pleased with him, then said: "O man! Pray to Allah, blessed be His Name in
a good day when you are prosperous. Praise His holy Name and beseech Him to
grant you guidance, protection, and strength when you are at ease, perhaps He
will answer your prayers on an arduous day, when you meet with trials and
difficulties."
Abu Ddardâ', God
be pleased with him, was a gnostic, a sage, and a wise man, and he possessed
exceptional control of balance and reasoning. He was a most skilled physician
of the hearts. He spoke extensively, and his speeches abounded with wisdom and
subtleties. His wisdom and knowledge were medicine for the sick at heart, and
warmth for the hearts of the equitable and the pondering ascetics. When Abu
Ddardâ' spoke, his words penetrated the hearts of his listeners, and when he
invoked a verse from the divine revelation and celebrated and praised Allah,
the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, the hearts of his listeners
were filled with coherence, and they bonded instantly with his prayers. Abu
Ddardâ' was free from ostentatiousness or pride, and he forsook any so-called
desirable features of this world. Through his extensive knowledge, dedicated
skills, and unrivaled devotion, he recognized and sought the rewarding stations
of the hereafter, and he was an expert collector of Hilyatul Awliyâ, the
fineries reserved for the most exalted believers in the hereafter.
562-
Yazïd bin Mu'âwiya said:
"Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, was a great scholar and a wise man,
and he was an expert physician who knew how to heal the sick, both physically
and spiritually."
563-
Abu Hâmed bin Jabla
narrated that someone asked Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him: "Why
have you not poeticized? Surely, there is not a single man from Madina who did
not expressed himself in poetry." Abu Ddardâ' replied: "I did. Listen
to this poem I once said:
Man desires to have
everything he wishes for in this world, Yet Allah ivill sanction only what He
decrees. Man cries out,
'My benefits, my money,'
although the best interest he should muster
is piety towards his Lord.
564-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re Abu Ddardâ', that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"If you clearly recognize the absolute sovereignty of Allah, He will
forgive you your sins."
565-Marwân bin Muhammad al-Tatari elucidated in reference to the above
prophetic tradition, saying: "Clearly recognize the sovereignty of Allah,
means to submit in Islam to Him."
566-
Al-A'amash narrated, re
Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
said: "Whoever dies believing in Allah and associating none of His
creation with Him will enter paradise."
In fact, when sometimes
someone probed Abu Ddardâ' regarding the above tradition, saying: "Is this
true even if one had committed a major sin such as adultery or thievery?"
Abu Ddardâ' would reply: "Yes, even if he had committed adultery or
thievery, and that is in spite of what Abu Ddardâ' may think!"
567-
'Abdullâh bin Ja'far
narrated, re Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, said: "Everyday, when the sun rises in the mourning, there
will be tow angels standing by its sides, and they will call out, 'O people,
come to the Lord of majesty and glory, come to your Master. Surely, to satisfy
yourselves with what is less yet sufficient is better than to become distracted
with excess.' "
God's messenger áfc, upon
whom be peace, then added: "All life forms will hear this cry, except for
the humans and the jinn."
568-
Al-'À'ithu-Billâh Abu
Idris narrated, re Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
upon whom be peace, prayed: "My Lord, grant me to love You, to love those
who love You, and guide me to do what will earn me Your love. O Lord, grant me
to love You more than myself and my family, and more than my thirst for a drink
of cold water on a day of scorching heat."
569-
Umu Ddardâ' narrated, re
her husband, Abu Ddardâ', God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, said: "Free yourselves from the worries of the world as
much as you can, for whosoever treats his worries in this world as his most serious
concern, Allah, blessed be His Name, will minimize his real loss in his eyes,
and He will cause his fear of poverty to broaden and to be constant. On the
other hand, whosoever regards the hereafter as his major concern, Allah,
blessed be His Name, will group his immediate needs together to become
manageable, He will fill his heart with richness, and broaden his satisfaction
and contentment. In fact, whenever a servant turns his hearts wholly towards
his Lord, then Allah, blessed be His Name, will cause the hearts of His
believing servants to flow towards him with love, kindness and mercy, while
abundant divine blessings will flow towards him to serve his immediate needs
more expeditiously."
570-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated, re Abu Ddardà', God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, said: "Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, said,
'O Jesus, after you, I am establishing a nation which people will be grateful
and thankful to Me when they receive what they like, and they will submit to My
decree and exercise patience when afflicted by what they do not like. However,
they will lack forbearance, and they will be unlettered." Jesus, peace be
upon whim, inquired: "My Lord, how can they have all of that, yet they
would lack forbearance and knowledge?" Almighty Allah, blessed be His
Name, said: "I will ensure that they will have forbearance and knowledge
of My own, and which they will receive directly from Me as they need them and
pray for them."
The next of
our peers is Mu'âth bin Jabal, patronymed Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân, God be pleased with
him. Mu'âth was most industrious and diligent, he gave careful attention to
details, and his performances were characterized by his adherence to the
highest level of excellence. His deeds were free from affectation or inequity,
and he was a brave master and a leading scholar who was also versed in the
knowledge of the Qur'an and that of the hadïth (prophetic traditions).
Mu'âth's words expressed the highest level of sagaciousness and insight, and he
was a most generous host.
Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be
pleased with him, memorized the entire Qur'an by heart, and he regularly read
it avidly with percipience, pensiveness, and pondering. His true and pure love
for Almighty Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, and for
His blessed messenger upon whom be peace, was forthright and ever-intensifying.
Mu'âth, God be pleased
with him, enjoyed a most forbearing and a cheerful character. He sat regularly
with God's messenger upon whom be peace, and he was a meritorious and a most
trustworthy companion. Mu'âth, God be pleased with him, also was most loyal,
faithful, and unfailing to his duties by the divine guidance and protection,
and his trustworthiness and excellence of character added to his success and
assurance in his pursuit of the divine acceptance, and they earned him strength
and victory over his trials and asperities.
On this subject, it is
said that spiritual success also means clarity, balance, and constancy in
exercising kindness. Such success also requires one to cultivate the pure
essence of faith in the sacred meadows of one's inner being.
571-
'Abdullâh bin Ja'far
narrated that God's messenger âi, upon whom be peace, said: "Among my
entire Umma (of followers), Mu'âth bin Jabal is the most knowledgeable
person regarding halal and haram. 1
572-
Abu Hâmed bin Jabla
narrated that Omar bin al-Khattab, God be pleased with him, said: "Should
I decide to appoint Mu'âth bin Jabal to govern the affairs of the Muslims after
me, and should my Lord ask me on the Day of Judgment, 'What made you do it?' I
will say that I heard Thy prophet upon whom be peace, say that, 'On the Day of
Judgment, when the scholars and gnostics come before their Lord, Mu'âth will
lead them, and he will stand at a distance of a stone's throw ahead of them.'
"
573-
'Abdullâh bnu 'Amru, God
be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"Learn the Qur'an at the hands of four people, 'Abdullâh bnu 'Amru, Mu'âth
bin Jabal, Ubiyyu bnu Ka'ab, and Sâlem Mawla Abu Huthaifa."
i.e., knowledge about the Lawful and the
unlawful.
/■ 575-
Abu Ishaq bin Hamza narrated that Anas bin Malik, God
be pleased
with him, said: "During the time of God's messenger Æ&, upon whom be
peace, the Qur'an was compiled at the hands of four people, Ubiyyu bnu Ka'ab,
Mu'âth bin Jabal, Zaid bnu Thâbit, and Abu Yazid." Someone asked:
"Who is Abu Yazid?" He replied: "One of my paternal
uncles."
576-
Muhammad bin Ishaq
narrated that Ibn Mas'oud, God be pleased with him, said: "Mu'âth bin
Jabal, God be pleased with him, was indeed an excellent model (umma) for
the believers, he was devoutly obedient to his Lord (qànit), and he a
sincere believer (birr)."
Someone
replied to Ibn Mas'oud's comment: "But God Almighty said that < Abraham
was indeed a model, he was devoutly obedient to his Lord, and true in faith>
(Qur'an 16:120)” Ibn Mas'oud replied: "Do you know what umma
and qànit mean?" The man replied: "Allah knows best!" Ibn
Mas'oud expounded: "Umma means one who recognizes what is
beneficial (Arb. khair), and qànit means one who is obedient to
Allah and to His messenger upon whom be peace."
577-
In another narration of
the above tradition, reported by Firas bin Yahya, son of Mas'oud, God be
pleased with him, said: "We used to liken the character of Mu'âth to that
of God's prophet Abraham, upon whom be peace."
578-
Abu Bakr bin Khalâd
narrated that Abi Muslim al- Khawlâni said: "I once entered the central
mosque of the city of Homs, Syria, and there I found some thirty elderly men
from among the blessed companions of God's messenger Sr, upon whom be
peace. A man of younger age with bright eyes and long dark eyelashes also sat
quietly near them, and whenever the elders needed a reference or an
explanation, they went to him, and they addressed him with great love and
reverence. I asked someone who sat next to me: "Who is this man?" He
replied: "This is Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him." Instantly,
I felt a sudden intense love and admiration for him, and I stayed near their
circle, and listened attentively to their discussion until they
dispersed."
579-
Ishâq bin Ibrâhîm
al-Hanzali narrated that Yazid bin Abi Bahriyya said: "I once entered the
central mosque of the city of Homs,
Syria, and I saw people
gathered around a young man who looked most dignified, sagacious, and versed.
When he spoke, his words were full of light and wisdom, and they came out like
radiant gemstones. I asked, 'Who is this man?' Someone replied, 'This is Mu'âth
bin Jabal.' "
580-
Ahmad bin Muhammad bin
Sanan narrated that Shahru bnu Hawshab said: "Whenever the companions of
God's messenger
upon whom be peace,
gathered, and when Mu'âth bin Jabal was sitting with them, they all looked
towards him with great love and respect, and he had a dignified look that
inspired solemn reverence."
581-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Ka'ab bin Malik said: "Mu'âth bin
Jabal was a very handsome-looking man, and he was among the best of his clan.
He was most generous, and he gave people whatever they asked him. One day,
Mu'âth had to borrow some money, and he had no means to repay it. Later on,
when his debtors pressured him to make payment, he went to God's messenger upon
whom be peace, and asked him to speak to his debtors on his behalf, so that
they may give him some time. However, when God's messenger spoke on his behalf,
the debtors insisted on receiving their money all at once. Hence, God's
messenger called Mu'âth, God be pleased with him, and when he saw their
attitude, he immediately divided all his belongings between them, and he walked
out owning nothing and owing nothing. Hence, Mu'âth became the first Muslim
whose property was confiscated to pay for his debts. On that year, Mu'âth
sought permission to perform the pilgrimage to God's House in Mecca, and God's
messenger upon whom be peace, wanted to comfort his heart, so he also appointed
him to head a mission in Yemen. Mu'âth fulfilled his duty, but he only returned
to Madina after God's messenger upon whom be peace, had passed, and the khilâfa
(vice regency) was borne by Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him."
582-
Al-A'amash narrated that
after God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, passed, the vice regency was
borne by Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, and in turn, Abu Bakr appointed
Omar bin al-Khattâb to head the pilgrimage season to Mecca for that year. Also
in that same year, it happen that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him,
was returning from Yemen after leading his mission, and he too performed a
pilgrimage that year. In Mecca, Omar met Mu'âth who had brought with him a
number of servants from Yemen, and he said to Omar: "Those were presented
as a gift to stay in my company, and the remaining servants were sent to Madina
to Abu Bakr to serve." When Omar heard that, he commented: "May be it
is better that you should talk to Abu Bakr about that!"
In Mecca, the
next mourning, Mu'âth passed by Omar and said to him: "O Ibn al-Khattâb! I
saw you in a dream last night. I saw you holding me firmly from my waist belt
and dragging me down into hell-fire. Therefore, I have no solution but to obey
what you dictated regarding the servants."
Upon
completing their pilgrimage, when Mu'âth returned to Madina, he took the
servants to Abu Bakr and said to him: "These were offered to me to remain
in my service, and the others were offered as a gift to you." Abu Bakr
replied: "All right, and we hereby decree to release your gift to your
care."
Later on that
day, Mu'âth went to the mosque, and when he finished his prayers, he noticed
that his servants were praying behind him. Mu'âth asked them: "Who were
you praying to?" They replied: "To Almighty Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, blessed be His Name." Mu'âth immediately said to them:
"Then you belong to Allah. You may go now, you are free men." Thus,
he released them from their obligations.
583-
Idris al-Khawlâni
narrated that Mu'âth Bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, said in one of his
sermons: "Coming your way are awful trials were money will be aplenty, and
the Qur'an will be read by the believer as well by the hypocrite, the young and
the old, the strong and the weak, and people from all nations will read the
Qur'an. A man rehearsing the Qur'an in public will be astounded and bewildered
as he says to himself, 'How is it that I happen to be reading the divinely
revealed Qur'an, and people seem to neither heed, nor would they comply with
its admonitions?' "
Mu'âth further
continued: "O people! Beware, beware of innovations, for innovations lead
to straying from the right path. I also warn you about the potential aberration
of a scholar, or the possible blunder of a teacher, for it is possible that a
wise man's own Satan utters a misleading statement through him, while it is
also possible that a hypocrite speaks a word of truth. Therefore, accept only
the truth, for truth is a radiant light."
Someone asked:
"How are we to know whether a wise man is right or wrong?" Mu'âth
replied: "A wise man may utter a word in error, and you will feel
uncomfortable with it. You will say to yourselves, 'What is this?' Therefore,
do not feel awkward about questioning it, and perhaps he will retract his
expression on his own when he recognizes what you already know, and he may
change his opinion. Knowledge and faith are indeed an effulgent light, and
their clarity and distinctiveness will remain radiant thus until the Day of
Resurrection. Therefore, whosoever seeks true knowledge and faith with sincerity
and perseverance, he will surely find them."
584-
Ibn Shahâb narrated, that
Yazid bin 'Umaira, a close companion of Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with
him, said: "Whenever Mu'âth joined a zikr and Qur'an reading
session, he always began with the invocation, 'Allah is a just Lord, blessed be
His Name. Whoever is in doubt about that will surely meet with perils.' "
Abu Yazid bin
'Umaira continued: "One day, during a discourse, Mu'âth, God be pleased
with him, said, 'Coming your way are awful trials were money will be aplenty,
and the Qur'an will be opened for reference by the believers as well by the
hypocrites and the disbelievers, and it will be read by men and women, young
and old, strong and weak, and by a free man as well as by a slave. A preacher
rehearsing the Qur'an in public will say to himself, 'How is it that I happen
to be reading the divinely revealed Qur'an, and people seem not to be
interested, nor would they follow its admonitions! Perhaps they will only
follow what I say if I invent a new book for them.' "
Mu'âth further
continued: 'Beware of innovations, for innovations lead to erring. I also warn
you about the potential aberration of the scholars, or the possible blunder of
the teachers, for it is possible that even a wise man's own satan utters a
misleading statement through him, as well as it is possible that a hypocrite
speaks a word of truth. Therefore, accept only the truth, for truth is
radiant."
Someone asked:
"How are we to know whether a wise man is right or wrong in what he
says?" Mu'âth replied: "A wise man may utter a word lightly, and you
feel uncomfortable with it and question it in your heart. Do not feel awkward,
nor impel yourselves to agree without questioning such statement should your
heart not agree with what the wise man may have said, for perhaps, and should
his words be unquestionably wrong, he will retract his expression when he hears
the truth from you, and therefore he will correct his own statement, for
indeed, truth is a radiant light, and it is assertive of itself."
585-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that a man asked Mu'âth bin
Jabal, God be pleased with him: "Teach me something." Mu'âth replied:
"Would you obey me?" The man humbly replied: "I am most eager to
obey you." Mu'âth then instructed the man: "Fast and pray regularly,
earn your livelihood in a lawful way, and do not err in that regard. Strive not
to die except in Islam, and beware not to become liable before the divine
justice regarding the grievance of someone with whom you have dealt
unjustly."
586-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that when Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, stood up to pray
in the middle of the night, he used to pray: "Lord, the eyes are asleep,
the stars have ebbed out, and You remain the ever living watchful Controller
over all. Lord, my soliciting Your paradise is indeed slow, and my flight from
hell-fire is tenuous. Lord, grant me the gift of a hidden guidance which You
will demonstrate as an award out of Your generosity on the Day of Resurrection,
for surely You do not fail Your promise."
587-
Mu'âwiya bin Qurra
narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, once said to his son:
"My dear son, when you stand up in prayers, do so as a departing person
bidding farewell to this world, and do not assume that you will have another
chance to thus pray again. My dear son, understand that a believer dies ranking
in-between two deeds, one he offers for his present day, wherein he will
immediately garner its blessings, and the second deed he offers towards the Day
of Resurrection, and that is when he will reap its ultimate benefits."
588-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that a man once came with some friends to visit Mu'âth bin Jabal, God
be pleased with him, and the man asked for his advice. Mu'àth replied: "I
advise you to observe two things, if you do, they will surely protect you.
First of all, you must know that you cannot circumvent receiving your share in
this world, and the second advice is that you are in dire need of your personal
share of the divine blessings in the hereafter. Therefore, give preference to
offering deeds that will benefit you in the hereafter over struggling to garner
what is already destined to come to you in this world anyhow. Keep on doing so
until you string your deeds together for the benefit of the hereafter like you
string your prayer beads to carry them with you wherever you go in this
world."
589-
Al-Fudhayl bin Tyâdh
narrated that a man came to see Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him,
during his illness, and he wept in his presence. Mu'âth asked the man:
"Why are you crying?" The man replied: "Let Allah be my witness,
I am not crying because of a blood relationship or propinquity between you and
me, nor am I crying for the loss of a business between us in this world, however,
I used to come and listen to your sermons, and I have learned from you what I
am afraid may soon cease." Mu'âth, God be pleased with him, replied:
"Then do not cry my brother, for whoever seeks the path of knowledge and
faith, Allah, blessed be His Name, will grant him his wish, and He will endow
him with both of them as He did with Abraham, upon whom be peace. In truth,
during his time, his people sought neither knowledge nor did they recognize
faith, and yet, Allah, blessed be His Name, chose to endow Abraham with both of
them."
590-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with
him, said: "Nothing better than zikr Allah (the remembrance of
Allah), that is constantly glorify and celebrate Allah's praises, the Lord of
majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, can save the son of Adam from
punishment for his sins." Someone asked Mu'âth: "Is zikr Allah
greater than carrying one's sword and fighting in the cause of Allah in three
campaigns?" Mu'àth replied: "Even that is not equal to zikr Allah,
and unless one fights incessantly until he earns his martyrdom."
591-
In another narration of
the above quoted account, Jurair bin 'Uthmàn reported that Mu'àth bin Jabal,
God be pleased with him, replied to the man, saying: "Not even Jihad
(warring), and unless one fights incessantly until he earns his martyrdom, for
Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, says: < Surely celebrating
Allah's praises (zikr Allah) is greater. > (Qur'an 29:45)."
592-
Sa'id bin al-Musayyib narrated
that Mu'àth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him said: "According to my
understanding, — to celebrate God's praises (zikr Allah) from dawn till
nightfall is more rewarding than mounting a horse from dawn to nightfall in jihad,
warring to defend the cause of Allah."
593-
Abu Ahmad al-Ghitrifi
narrated that Ya'qoub bin Zaid said: "I once entered the central mosque of
Homs, Syria, where I heard Mu'àth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, say,
'Whoever likes to meet Allah, blessed be His Name, feeling safe, and being free
from anxiety, then let him regularly attend to his five daily prayers at the
mosque, and that is where they are called for. This is the blessed sunna
(tradition) of the perfectly guided believers, and this is what your prophet
upon whom be peace, has instituted for you. Let no one say, T have a prayer
niche in my house, and I only pray there, for should you do so, you would have
departed from the sunna traditions of your prophet, and should you
depart from the sunna traditions of your prophet upon whom be peace, you
would surely stray from the path.'"
594-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that al-Aswad bin Hilâl said: "We were walking with Mu'àth, God
be pleased with him, when he suddenly turned to us and said, 'Let us sit here
for an hour and reconfirm our faith.' "
595-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Mu'àth bin Jabal, God be pleased with
him, said: "Whenever you sit with people and find that some of them have
lost their focus, or perhaps they become distracted, or should they engage in
secular conversations, or even doze a little, then stand up immediately and
turn to Allah in prayers (salat), for such is an auspicious hour for
solicitation, and it is an hour where one's personal supplications to Almighty
Allah are subject to His favorable answer."
596-
Al-Walid bin Muslim, who
also narrated the above account, added: "We mentioned Mu'âth's saying to
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazid bin Jabir, who replied, 'Indeed, what Mu'âth said is
true. I heard Abu Talha Hakim bin Dinar describing one of the signs of one's
prayers being answered favorably, he said, 'When you see people indulging in
heedlessness, then stand up and turn to your Lord in prayers, for such is an
auspicious hour for one's personal solicitations.' "
597-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that when Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, came to their
land, their mashâyikh (elders and leading scholars) came to welcome him,
and to honor his visit, they suggested: "Should you order us, we will
happily carry those rocks and gather the needed lumber to build up a mosque for
you here!" Mu'âth replied: "Nay, not for me, but for the pleasure of
Allah, blessed be His Name! I fear to be ordered to carry it on my back on the
Day of Resurrection."
598-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated that 'Amru bnu Maimoun al-'Aoudi of Yemen, said: "Mu'âth bin
Jabal, God be pleased with him, once stood up and gave a sermon, wherein he
said, 'O tribe of 'Aoud, surely I am the emissary of God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, to you, and he has indeed delivered the divine message. You must
understand that at the appointed Hour, the creation will ultimately reach the
presence of Allah, blessed be His Name, and from there, people will either be
destined to enter the heavenly paradise, or to dwell in hell-fire. You also
must understand that the hereafter is a permanent abode, not a transient one,
and people will dwell there eternally in permanent immortal bodies.' "
599-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad,
son of Ja'far, narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, said:
"Learn whatever knowledge you wish to acquire, and Allah will not reward
you unless you act upon what you have learned."
600-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with
him, said to Raja' bin Haiwa: "Your earlier trials consisted of harsh
adversities (dharrâ'), and you had limited resources towards which you
exercised extreme patience and endurance, however, your future trials will
consist of comfort and prosperity (sarrâ'). Furthermore, the most I fear
for you are the trials of women, and the time will come, when women will adorn
their forearms with bracelets of gold and silver decorated with alike matching
bangles, and that will become the fashion, and then, they will be dressed up
with damask linen and silk from Syria, and they will tie up their heads with
embellished headbands and ligatures from Yemen, and then women will become a
burden for the rich and a worry for the poor."
601-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with
him, once said: "There are three types of actions, whosoever engages in
any of them will earn himself the divine abomination, and those are; 1) To
laugh without astoundment; 2) to sleep without exhaustion from staying up late
in devotion; and, 3) to eat or nibble on food without hunger."
602-
Malik al-Dariny narrated
that Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, once placed four hundred
dinars in a bag, and he said to his attendant: "Give this to Abu 'Ubaida
al-Jarrâh; wait their for an hour or so, and find out what will he do with
them!"
The attendant
went to Abu 'Ubaida and said to him: "This is a gift from the Commander
and Prince of the believers. Use it as you see fit." Abu 'Ubaida
graciously accepted the gift, and he replied: "May Allah unite him with
whom he loves, and show mercy towards him." Abu 'Ubaida then addressed a
women serving his family, saying: "Take these seven dinars and give them
to so and so, and give these five dinars to so and so, then these five dinars
to so and so..." and thus he did with the balance of the money until
nothing remained in his possession.
When the
attendant returned to Omar and narrated what he witnessed, Omar, God be pleased
with him, handed him another bag of four hundred dinars, and said: "Take
these to Mu'âth bin Jabal, tarry there for an hour or so, and find out what
will he do with them!"
The attendant
went to Mu'àth at once and said to him: "The commander and prince of the
believers has sent you this gift, and he asked that you use it for some of your
personal needs." Mu'àth graciously accepted the gift, and he replied:
"May Allah show mercy towards him and unite him with whom he loves."
Mu'àth then called a female servant and said to her: "Take this money to
the house of so and so..." As Mu'àth was dividing the gift, his wife
looked and realized what was happening, and she said to her husband: "By
God, listen, we too are poor, and therefore, you better leave something for our
own needs as well!" Mu'àth looked inside the bag, and there were two Dinar
coins left in the bottom of the sack, so he rolled them down to her.
When Omar's
attendant returned and narrated what he witnessed, Omar smiled and commented:
"Surely these two men are brethren from the same household."
A Letter
to Omar bin Al-Khattàb
603-
Marwàn bin Mu'âwiya
narrated that Muhammad bin Souqa said: "I visited Na'irn bin Abi Hind, who
brought me a letter from Abu 'Ubaida al-Jarràh and Mu'àth bin Jabal to Omar bin
al- Khattâb, which read as follows:
'Peace be upon
you. After all, we know that you are a responsible individual, and that you are
well aware of your true interest. Now that you have been elected to guard the
interests of this nation, you will also have to serve the interests of the red
and the black, the noble and the lowly, the avowed enemy and the truthful
friend, all of whom will sit before you, and each one of them will receive his
share of justice. O Omar, therefore, consider carefully your position in the
eyes of Allah, before Whom you yourself will stand on the Day of Judgment for
reckoning. We warn you of such a day when people's faces will convey tormenting
worries, their hearts will dehydrate, their rationalization of their actions
will be in vain, and when they will all submit to the clear proof of the
supreme omnipotent King Who will defeat their false alibis. On that day, all
the creation will have no choice but to submit to His judgment, that's when
they will all hope and be in dire need of His mercy, and they will all fear His
punishment.'
'We have all
been taught by God's messenger upon whom be peace, and he has told us that near
the end of times, this umma (nation) will be exceptionally divided, and
people will express brotherly love outwardly, although they will conceal strong
jealousy and enmity inwardly.'
'Finally, we
pray, and we seek refuge in the protection of Almighty Allah that these words
of ours will not be perceived by you other than with the same sincerity our
hearts were inclined to expressed them, for we have wrote this letter only to
advise you. Peace be upon you.'
Upon reading
their letter, Omar, God be pleased with him, wrote back:
'From Omar bin
al-Khattab, to Abu 'Ubaida and Mu'âth, peace be upon you both. 'In reply to
your subject letter, your message have reached me, wherein, you noted your
awareness that I am a well concerned person, and that I am well aware of my
true interests, and since I have been elected to guard the interests of this
nation, and to serve the interests of its red and black, the noble and the
lowly, the avowed enemy and the truthful friend, who will all come and sit
before me, and each one of them will receive his share of justice, and you
further outlined, 'O Omar, consider carefully your position in the eyes of
Almighty Allah before Whom you yourself will stand on the Day of Judgment for
reckoning. I therefore testify that indeed, Omar has no will or power on his
own, and except for what Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, wills, and I
testify that Allah alone has the absolute power of managing the affairs of His
creation.'
'You also
wrote in your letter, and you apprised me regarding what earlier nations have
been warned against, and in fact, in the past, people had to experienced their
judgment first in this world, and where the briefness of the night and day had
expedited people's encounter with their destiny, reduced the new to old, and
hastened the arrival of what was considered to be distant. Subsequently,
earlier nations knew their just reward in advance, and they realized their
ultimate destination, which can either be heaven or hell.'
'You also
wrote in your letter, and warned me regarding the end of times, when this umma
(nation) will be most divided, and when people will express brotherly love
outwardly, while concealing extremely enmity inwardly. In this respect, I say
that you are not such brethren, nor is this such an era, and which is yet to
come! At such times, both the propensity of desires and the burden of solemn
concerns will shatter people's hearts. In fact, at such a times, people may
also cooperate, but they will mostly concentrate their focus on enhancing and
embellishing their own worldly status.'
'You also wrote in your
letter seeking refuge in Almighty Allah that your words will not be perceived
by me other than with the same sincerity your hearts were inclined to expressed
them, and that you have wrote your letter only to advise me.'
'In repose to that, may I
add that I indeed believe that you are most truthful and sincere in your
efforts. Please do not stop writing to me, for I cannot afford to be spared of
your advice. Peace be upon both of you.' "
The
Need for Acquiring True Knowledge
604-
Muhammad bin Ibrâhîm, son
of Yahya, narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, said in one
of his sermons: "Acquire knowledge for the pleasure of Allah, blessed be
His Name, for learning thus engenders piety, reverence for one's Lord, and fear
of wrongdoing. Seeking knowledge for God's pleasure is an act of worship,
studying it is a celebration of God's glory {zikr), and searching for it
is a most rewarding struggle {jihad), teaching it to someone who
realizes that he needs to acquire it is charity {sadaqa)„ and applying
it in one's own home strengthens family unity and kinship. Knowledge indeed
helps the believer to discern between the lawful {halal) and the
forbidden {haram), and it is the guiding light for the seekers on the
path of Allah, and the future dwellers of the heavenly paradise."
Mu'âth further said:
"Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best
companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your
privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong,
and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort,
as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against
your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of
your close companions."
"Through
knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes
them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their
faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will
seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly
angles seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or
withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins,
even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands, and every bird of prey
and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their
behalf. This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out
of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes
that cures one's blindness, and restores his inner sight."
"With
knowledge, one attains the stations of the chosen ones, and with it, one earns
good esteem and blessings in this world as well as in the eternal life to come
thereafter. In fact, to ponder upon knowledge equals fasting, and to study it
equals standing up all night long in supererogatory prayers. With knowledge,
families unite in love and compassion, and with it, they recognize right from
wrong, and finally, knowledge is the leader and the guiding light of the
masters, while rewarding deeds can only follow that."
605-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that when Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased
with him, was in his deathbed, he said to his companions: "Go and, look
out, is it dawn yet?" At once, someone went to the door and came back to
report: "Not yet!" Mu'âth immediately turned to another person and
said to him: "You go and find out, is it dawn yet?" The next
companion went to the door and came back with the same answer: "It is not
the morning yet!" Mu'âth waited a little and then he became annoyed as he
kept on inquiring about the morning, and finally, as the time drew closer to
daylight, and to appease his anxiety, someone looked out and then he returned
to report: "Yes, it is the morning!"
Mu'âth, God be pleased
with him, then prayed: "I seek refuge in Allah, blessed be His Name, to
protect me from a night that delivers its visitant to hell-fire by the morning.
Welcome to death, and welcome to the long awaited caller and the harbinger of
the Beloved; — Indeed, you are a pleasant relief who arrives at a moment of
painful anguish and vacuity. O Allah! I lived a lifelong of reverence and fear
of You, and today, I am beseeching You for mercy. Beloved Lord, You know that I
was never fond of this world, nor did I ever hoped for a long life herein to watch
the rivers flow, or to plant trees. You know well that my greatest endeavors
were bent around willingly thirsting and fasting from ephemeral pleasures,
striving arduous hours of long nights worshipping You and celebrating Your
praises, and competing on my knees with the scholars and sages wherever, and
whenever people gathered to celebrate Your praises and to glorify Your
Name."
606-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbàl,
God be pleased with him, narrated that a plague once befell Syria, and people
became bewildered by the contagious and destructive disease. Several rumors
spread around, and some people attributed the disease to a major flood that may
have taken place in a distant land. When Mu'âth heard people's hearsay, he
stood up at the mosque and delivered a sermon, wherein, after praising Almighty
Allah, blessed be His Name, and after paying tribute to His messenger and
invoking the divine blessings (salawât) upon him, Mu'âth said: "It
has come to my attention that you are bewildered by your adversities, and I
also heard how you are interpreting it in accordance with your personal whims,
and therefore, I am afraid that perhaps you are seized by oblivion.
Nevertheless, you must realize that this is a munificent mercy from your Lord,
blessed be His Name. This is the answer of the prayers of your prophet upon
whom be peace, and after all, this is the answer to the collective prayers of
all the righteous believers before you. In truth, this is the lightest of
adversities a believer may have to face to expiate his sins. What your peers
feared most was to leave the door of one's house in the morning, not aware
whether he is a believer or a hypocrite, and they also feared to experience a
day, when people are governed by a generation of mutant dissenting youths who
will someday subordinate them, impose their immature and dangerous will upon
them, and dictate their affairs."
607-
Al-Hârith bin 'Umaira
said: "Mu'âth, Abu 'Ubaida, Sharhabïl bin Hasana, and Abu Malik
al-Ash'ari, all four were struck by the plague on the same day. When Mu'âth
fell ill, he commented, 'This is the mercy of your Lord, blessed be His Name,
this is indeed the answer of the prayers of your prophet upon whom be peace,
and this is how the souls of many of the righteous believers before you were
taken back to their Lord.' Mu'âth then prayed, 'Lord, grant the family of
Mu'âth the largest share of this mercy.' "
Al-Hârith bin
'Umaira continued: "Mu'âth's eldest son, 'Abdu- Rahmân, by whose name
Mu'âth was patronymed, and who was more dear to him than the entire world, was
struck by the plague that same evening. When Mu'âth returned home from his
evening congregational prayers at the mosque, he discovered that, and he asked
him, 'O 'Abdu-Rahmân, how are you feeling?' 'Abdu-Rahmân replied with a
Qur'anic verse: 'O my father, 4 This truth comes from your Lord, have no doubt
therein > (Qur'an 3:60).' Mu'âth also quoted from the Qur'an in his
reply, saying, 4 God willing, you will find me patient (with His decree) > (Qur'an
37:102).' "
'Abdu-Rahmân
died that same night, and Mu'âth buried him in the morning. Shortly after that,
Mu'âth himself fell ill with the same plague, and his share of physical
suffering with his mortal throes were most severe and forbidding, and no one
has ever suffered thus before him. After each stroke, and every time Mu'âth
regained his consciousness, he struggled to open the side of his eye, and with
extreme difficulty he prayed: "My Lord, crush me with Your mightiest blow.
I swear by Your mighty firm Hand, that You know how much my heart loves You."
608-
'Abdullâh bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated, re Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, said to him: "O Mu'âth, go and prepare your
camel then come back to me, for I am sending you to Yemen."
Mu'âth
continued: "At once, I went home and I prepared my camel then returned and
stood by the gate of the mosque, awaiting permission from God's messenger upon
whom be peace. When he came out, he took me by the hand, and we walked together
for a while, and he then said: "O Mu'âth, I am asking you and I am
advising you to be pious with Allah, and to fear wrongdoing. Be truthful when
you speak, fulfill what you promise, deliver what you are entrusted with, and
shun treason. I advise you to have compassion towards the orphan, to guard and
protect your neighbor,- to swallow your anger, to be humble, to
lower your wing to the. believers, to maintain constancy with your faith, to
learn and understand the Qur'an, to love the hereafter, to worry about the Day
of Reckoning, to curtail your hope, and to do your best no matter what you do.
I forbid you to insult any Muslim, to belie a truthful person, or to believe a
liar, and I enjoin upon you to disobey a just Imam (i.e., guide and a
leader). O Mu'âth, always remember Allah, blessed be His Name. Remember Him
with each breath, and keep His remembrance as you cross each and every rock and
tree. Repent immediately each time you commit a wrongdoing. Repent privately
for each wrongdoing you commit in private, and repent in public for each wrongdoing
you commit in public."
609-
The above tradition was
also reported by 'Abdullah bin Omar, God be pleased with both of them, who
said: "When God's messenger upon whom be peace, intended to send Mu'âth to
Yemen, he too a short walk with him, and he advised him, 'O Mu'âth, I advise as
a compassionate brother would advise his precious brother. I advise you to be
steadfast with your piety and reverence for Almighty Allah, blessed be His
Name.' "
Upon reporting
most of the above narrated tradition, 'Abdullâh bin Omar, God be pleased with
him, also quoted God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, to have told Mu'âth: "I advise you to visit the sick, to hasten to
fulfill the needs of the widowed women and the weak, to often sit in the
company of the poor and the meek. I advise you to always be just even if
justice stands between you and your personal interests, always tell the truth,
and fear no one's censure when it comes to Allah's rights."
610-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, said: "God's messenger
upon whom be peace, once took me by the hand, and he said to me, 'O Mu'âth, I
swear that I love you in Allah.' Mu'âth replied, 'O blessed messenger of Allah,
surely you are more dear to me than my own father and my own mother, I swear by
Allah that I love you too.' God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, then added, 'O Mu'âth, I advise you not to fail to recite the following
supplication, after each Salat (prayer), say, 'O God, help me to have
constancy in remembering You, to always thank You, and help me to Lord duly
worship You.' "
611-
Anas bin Malik narrated
that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, came one mourning to see God's
messenger upon whom be peace, who asked him: "How did you wake up this
mourning?" Mu'âth replied: "I woke up a believer in Allah, exalted be
His Name." God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Every statement
must be substantiated, and every claim must be supported by the truth, hence,
what is the proof of your claim?" Mu'âth replied: "O prophet of
Allah, blessed be His Name, I never woke up in a mourning thinking that I will
live to see the evening, and I never come upon an evening thinking that I will
be there to witness another mourning. O prophet of Allah, blessed be His Name,
I never walked a single step thinking that the second foot will follow it. Deep
in my heart, it a vivid perception, and it is as though I am seeing all nations
kneeling before their Lord in the Final Hour, all are brought in as promised,
for their deeds to be judged by the Book of the divine criterion. I sometimes
also see them standing up, and each nation is headed by its prophet, with them,
the people bring the statues and carry the idols they carved and worshiped
besides Allah. It is as though I am witnessing the punishment of the dwellers
of hell-fire and the reward of the dwellers of the heavenly paradise!"
God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, then said: "Now that you have
such realization, thence, it is imperative for you to act upon it and to be
steadfast."
612-
Al-Qâsim bin Mukhaimara
narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, once returned from
Yemen to Madina on a mission, and one evening, God's messenger Í&, upon
whom be peace, inquired from him: "In what state did you leave the
people?" Mu'âth replied: "I left them having no anxieties except
those of cattle!"[XXVII]
God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, commented: "Then what would
you say when you will come upon a time when people will correctly recognize and
know what these people do not understand, and yet, they will nurture no
concerns other than those of cattle!"
613-
Malik bin Yakhmâr
narrated that Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, said: "I turned
to God's messenger upon whom be peace, while circumambulating the Ka'ba, and I
asked him, 'O messenger of Allah, show us what is most evil in people!' He
replied, 'Ask only about what is good, and do not ask about evil.' God's
messenger upon whom be peace, then said: "The most evil of people are the
evildoers among the learned ones."
614-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Ghanam
narrated that he was with Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be pleased with him, when his
son died, and when he received a letter saying:
"In the Name of
Allah, the Merciful, the most Compassionate. Peace be upon you. To you I thank
Allah besides Whom there is no god. As to the purpose of this letter: I pray to
Allah, blessed be His Name, to expound your reward, to inspire you patience,
and to endow us and you with increasing gratitude. Indeed, our souls, families,
properties, and children are comforting endowments He graciously bestows upon
us, and they are His exposed trust. He grants such comforts for a term, and He
then takes them back at the appointed time. Allah, blessed be His Name, also
ordained us to show gratitude to Him when He gives us, and to exercise patience
when He tries us."
"Your son was indeed
Allah's comforting endowments, and His exposed trust. He allowed you to
appreciate him and to enjoy such a praiseworthy gift. Then He took him back
from you for a prodigious reward. Indeed, should you bare your trial with
patience and gratitude, then the divine blessings, mercy, and guidance are your
prize. Be warned you not to have two opposing complexions, which together
denote defect in character: 1) One is gratitude when Allah gives, and 2)
discontent when He calls back for His trust. Otherwise, your reward will be
forfeited, and you will immensely regret your losses. When you reflect upon
your trial, you will find that it does not measure up to your reward, and
therefore, you will be able to receive what Allah promised. Allow the scope of
your sorrow to transcend what befell you, for what passed is past, and peace be
upon you."[XXVIII]
615-
'Amru bnu Murra narrated
that when God's messenger upon whom be peace, sent Mu'âth bin Jabal, God be
pleased
with him, to
Yemen, he said to him: "When you are true to your Deen (i.e., faith
and religious commitment), then a mere little effort will be sufficient to
satisfy your needs."
The next of
our peers and beacons of true theism is Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with
him. Sa'ïd understood the essence of true Islam, and he readily forsook any
allegiance to the delusory attraction and destructive fascination of this mind
mesmerizing world. He looked down at the seekers of this world and loathed their
strife, while he sought the natural higher inclinations of the earlier
companions with steadfastness, commitment, and loyalty to his covenant.
Although Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with him, was appointed during the
time of the caliphate of Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, to a
governing position in Syria, and he proved to be a true servant of Almighty
Allah, blessed be His Name, and he served the dependants of God Almighty as a
true ascetic with piety, sincerity, and devotion, as well as he delivered his
trust with clarity and impeccable justice.
It is said
that the path of spirituality calls for bearing one's difficulties with
patience, and without giving much regard to personal expectations.
616-
On this subject, Hassan
bin 'Atiyya narrated that when the commander of the believers, Omar bin
al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, removed Mu'âwiya from his post as the
governor of Syria (Sham), he assigned Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased
with him, to that position. Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer immediately left Madina with his
wife, and he travelled north to serve.
Sometimes later, Omar
heard that Sa'ïd Bin 'Àmer was experiencing difficulties with his basic needs,
and therefore, Omar sent him one thousand Dinars. When the money was delivered,
Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer brought it home to his wife, and said to her, 'Omar sent us
this gift. See what do you wish to do with it.' The wife delighted as she
replied: "Why don't you buy ourselves some direly needed food along with
other supplies for now, and then save the balance for later!" Sa'ïd Bin
'Àmer pondered for a moment, and said: "Let me suggest a better way to use
this gift. Let us invest this money and put it to work for us. — Let us give it
to a merchant to trade with it, he will guarantee the capital investment, and we
will earn our daily bread from its return." The wife consented, and Sa'ïd
went out and bought some food and provisions for his house, and he also bought
two camels and two servants to attend to them, and then, he decided to
distribute everything to the poor and the needy in that town, but did not
confide his real intention to his wife.
Shortly thereafter, the
wife said to Sa'ïd: "We have used up such and such supplied, and I wish
that you would go to that man and ask him to give us some of the profits so we
may buy extra needed supplies." Sa'ïd heard what his wife said but he did
not answer her, nor did he do anything about it. A couple of days later, the
wife inquired anew, but Sa'ïd had no reply. Consequently, the wife said
something harsh that hurt the feelings of her husband and made him spend most
of his days at the mosque and return to his house late every night.
One evening, a friend of
Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with him, came home with him and said to the
wife: "What can you do! Surely you have hurt your husband's deep feelings,
while he can do nothing about his investment, for he has distributed the entire
amount in charity!" The wife was surprised when she heard the story, she
was shocked, and she cried in pain, and then she kept to herself for some days
thereafter.
Few days later, Sa'ïd Bin
'Àmer came home and he found his wife depressed. Sa'ïd turned to her and said:
"Take it easy! I once had some true companions, they all have died a short
while ago, and today, I would prefer to be in their company rather than to have
the entire treasures of this world at my disposal or even to live eternally
herein. Let me tell you, to my perception, should one of the houri
(nymphs) of the heavenly paradise now glance upon the earth, the effulgent
light of her face will shine evenly for the inhabitants of the entire planet
all at once, and such glance will surely render pale the glow of the sun and
the radiance of a full moon. In my view, surely the purity of her veil is a
more superior wear than the entire world and all its treasures, and in truth,
you are more precious to my heart than to let you be engrossed in such mundane
accessories, or to allow them to deceive you."
When the wife
heard what her husband said, and when she understood Sa'ïd's pious intention,
she excused him and accepted his explanation.
617-
Khalid bin Ma'dân
narrated that the commander of the believers, Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be
pleased with him, appointed Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer Ibn Juthaim al-Jamhi, God be
pleased with him, to the post of governor of Homs, Syria. One day Omar himself
came to visit Homs, and he privately asked its citizens, 'How do you find your
employee?' The people complained to Omar about their governor Sa'ïd Bin 'Amer —
incidentally, the people of Homs were labeled 'the citizens of little
Kiifa,' because, like the citizens of the city of Kiifa, Iraq, the people
of Homs invariably complained about their administrators; — and here again,
they were critical about their governor as they said, 'We basically have four
complaints about him!'
Omar, God be
pleased with him, was surprised, and he asked, 'What are they?' The people
replied, 'He only comes out of his house in the mid-morning to attend to our
needs.' Omar became upset, and he said, 'This is a serious allegation, what
else?' They said, 'He never answers any calls at night.' Omar commented, 'This
is another serious allegation as well. What else?' They continued, 'He has
reserved one day in each month for himself, where he does not come out at all.'
Omar said, 'Surely this is another serious one, and what else?' They said,
'From time to time, he gets extremely sick, and he remains at home.'
Omar, God be
pleased with him, immediately called for Sa'ïd Bin 'Àmer to meet the people
face to face and answer their allegations, and he prayed, 'My Lord, do not
disappoint me with my opinion of Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer today.'
When sa'ïd sat in their
midst, Omar, God be pleased with him, turned to the people and said, 'Tell me
again, what charges do you have against your wâli (governor)?' The
people said, 'He only comes out of his house in the mid-morning to attend to
our needs.' Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with him, answered, 'Allah is my
witness, I was hoping that I did not have to answer to this one. After all, my
wife has no helpers, and for this reason, I kneed my dough every mourning, and
I wait for it to rise before I take my ablution and come out to attend to their
needs,'
Omar further asked the
people, 'Voice your next complaint?' The people replied, 'He never answers any
calls at night.' Omar turned to Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with both of
them, and inquired, 'What do you have to say about that?' Sa'ïd replied, T also
hoped that I did not have to speak regarding this matter, however, since this
subject has come up thus, then I feel that I must explain, that in fact, I have
allotted the day to serve the needs of the people, and as to the night, I have
kept it to my personal devotion and worship of Almighty Allah, blessed be His
Name.'
Omar then turned to the
people and he asked, 'What other complaints do you hold against him?' The
people replied, 'He has reserved one day a month when he does not come out
until late in the day.' Omar turned to Sa'ïd and inquired, 'What do you have to
say about that?' Sa'ïd replied, 'O Commander and Prince of the believers, I
have no one to wash my clothes, nor do I have a second set of clothing. Once a
month, I wash my cloth, I wait until they dry out, and then, I smooth them by
hand before I come out of my house to attend to the needs of the people.'
Omar further asked the
people, 'What other complaints do you have about him?' The people replied,
'From time to time, he gets extremely sick, and he stays in his bed for a
while, as though if he was sick!' Omar again turned to Sa'ïd Bin 'Âmer, God be
pleased with both of them, and asked him, 'What do you say about that?' Sa'ïd
pondered stared for a moment, and then he replied, 'O Commander and Prince of
the believers, before embracing Islam, I lived in Mecca, and I watched when
Khubaib al-Ansâri was murdered and his body mutilated at the hands the
polytheist Quraishis who had tortured him for a long time, and then, they
pierced him with their spears repeatedly, and furthermore, they carried him on
a stick; — and there I stood during his last agonizing moments. The
disbelievers asked Khubaib, 'At this junction, wouldn't it be better for you to
renounce your faith and to spare your life; and wouldn't you rather see
Muhammad in your place instead?' Khubaib, God be pleased with him, replied,
'Let Allah be my witness that I would rather not be resting in comfort in the
midst of my family and children tonight, knowing that even a small thorn has
hurt God's messenger, Muhammad upon whom be peace.' Khubaib then called out
with a piercing voice, 'O Muhammad!' Immediately, the Quraishis became
extremely furious, and in their rage, they executed him at once, and then, they
mutilated his body with great fury.'
Sa'id Bin
'Àmer continued: "Whenever I remember the scene of that soul terrorizing
sinister dark day, being a polytheist and an atheist then, and having no faith
in Almighty Allah, whenever I recall how I failed to support him under such
circumstances, I become extremely tormented and agitated thinking that Allah,
the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, will never forgive me for
such a sin, and hence I become sickened and seized by depression and
distraught, as if I am entrapped by the throes of death.'
Omar then
commented: "All praises be to Allah, blessed be His Name, Who did not let
my keenness fail me when I appointed him to serve."
Later on, when
he returned to Madina, Omar, God be pleased with him, sent one thousand Dinars
to Sa'id Bin 'Amer, God be pleased with him, with the message: "Use them
for your personal needs."
When the wife
of Sa'id Bin 'Amer, God be pleased with him, saw the gift, she said: "All
praises be to Allah, blessed be His Name Who provided us with these means to
make your duty lighter." Sa'id then turned to his wife and said:
"Would you like to know about a better way to use this money? Let us
invest it in a business that will insure a satisfactory return when we need it
most!" The wife replied favorably: "Indeed."
Immediately,
SaTd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased with him, called someone he trusted in the
family, and he divided the money in several pouches, and said to him: "Go
and give this bag to the widow of so and so, and this bag to the orphan and
such and such family, and this back to that neighbor who is confined to his bed
..." SaTd Bin 'Âmer did thus until only a single coin of money remained,
which he passed to his wife, and said: "Spend this for your immediate
needs." SaTd then went back to his work.
As SaTd was
leaving the house, the wife asked him: "Why don't you hire a servant to
help us? What can this little money do?" SaTd Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased
with him, replied: "Do not worry. Your true return will come at a time
when you need it most!"
618-
'Abdu Rahmnan bin Sâbit
al-Jamhi narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, once
called a man from the tribe of Bani Jamh, named SaTd Bin 'Âmer, son of Juthaim
al- Jamhi, and he said to him: "I am appointing you to serve in such and
such land." SaTd replied: "O commander of the believers, please do
not let my focus be distracted by such a rank!" Omar became upset, and he
said: "I swear by Allah, that I will not let you get away with it, or let
you be free of responsibility. You have elected me to this position, and you
have laid this monumental responsibility upon my shoulders, and then you wish
to leave the burden on me alone to carry! Nay."
Omar then said
to SaTd: "We will pay you for your services as well as we will give you
the necessary funds for any extra needs you may have." Consenting to his
fate, SaTd replied: "Surely Allah has made the remuneration of the post
sufficient, and I do not wish to receive any extra supplement thereto."
SaTd complied
with the orders, and he went to serve his function. Every time he received his
salary, SaTd would go out and buy his family their immediately needed
provisions, and he then would distribute the balance in charity. Whenever his
wife inquired from him, 'Where is the balance of your salary?' SaTd replied, T
loaned it to someone.'
One day, his
relatives came to visit him, and they said to him: "Surely your family has
rights upon you, and your in-laws also have rights upon you, and accordingly,
you must satisfy their needs as well!" Sa'id Bin 'Âmer, God be pleased
with him, replied: "I am neither excluding my family from any
considerations, nor am I giving preference to others over them, and I will not
waste my life soliciting anyone's pleasure; — the cost of which is extremely
high, and which means that I would have to circumvent my personal aspiration to
join the houri of the heavenly paradise in the life after. Let me tell
you that should one of such most beautiful and chaste houris glance upon
the earth, the effulgent light of her face will shine evenly for the
inhabitants of the entire planet. Moreover, you must understand that I do not
wish to miss the first cluster of believers, for I have heard God's messenger
upon whom be peace, say, 'When Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be
His Name, will gather the people for judgment, the poor ones among the believers
will flock in a solemn procession and head towards the heavenly paradise,
advancing in balanced formations, just like flocks of pigeons in flight.
Shortly before arriving there, the angels will stop them, and they instruct
them, 'You must first stop by the station of reckoning and await the final
judgment!' The believers that were poor in the world will reply, 'What judgment
is there for us? We have nothing to report, nor did you ever give us anything
to be reckoned for.' At once, Almighty Allah will assert, 'My servants spoke
the truth,' and immediately the gates of the heavenly paradise will open to
them, and they will enter it without questioning, seventy years before its
dwellers are admitted to their permanent abode.'
34-
'Umair Bnu Sa'ad al-Ansàri
Here is
another unique companion of God's messenger upon whom be peace. His name is
'Umair bnu Sa'ad, God be pleased with him. He was true to his covenant, loyal
to his promise, trustworthy, quick thinking, and appreciative of learning. His
charisma embodied the needed spiritual soundness and strength to achieve
decisive control over his surrounding circumstances. His persona portrayed his
unique fabric, and he was a pious theist who became the crown of governors, as
well as he was Allah's witnessing proof amidst His creation.
Here is another account
of an incident that portrays the unique character of this pious ascetic and
blessed companion of God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace:
619-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that the Commander of the Believers, Omar bin al-Khattab, God be
pleased with him, once appointed 'Umair bnu Sa'ad al-Ansari, as administrator
of the city of Homs, Syria. Thereat, 'Umair bnu Sa'ad stayed one full year
without reporting to the caliph in Madina, and no news came from that direction
for such a long time.
In a manner intended to
teach a lesson on the importance of communication, coordination, and formal
reporting between the distant regions and the central state, Omar, God be
pleased with him, appeared suspicious, and to create a precedent in managing
the affairs of the people, he said to his log keeper: "I think that 'Umair
has betrayed us. Write to him the following message, 'Upon receiving my letter,
return to Madina immediately, and bring back with you all the dues and alms
taxes you have collected up to date from the Muslims (of Homs).' "
When 'Umair bnu Sa'ad,
God be pleased with him, received the letter, and on the spot, he immediately
gathered his meager belongings, which consisted of a haversack, a small cooking
pot, and few personal tools which he wrapped in a piece of cloth. 'Umair then
prepared some food for the journey, and he roped his goat and left Homs on
foot, dragging the goat behind him, and he walked until he entered the city of
Madina weeks later.
When he arrived to Madina,
'Umair had lost weight, his face was pale and dirty, his hair long, and he was
covered from head to toe with the dust of the journey. Upon entering the city
of Madina, 'Umair bnu Sa'ad, God be pleased with him, and even prior to going
to the mosque, he headed immediately towards Omar's house. When he entered,
'Umair greeted him reverently: "Peace be upon you, O Commander of the
Believers, may Allah's mercy and blessing descend upon you."
When Omar looked up and
saw 'Umair's condition, he looked at him with obvious shock and said:
"What happened to you?" 'Umair replied: "What wrong do you see
happened to me! Do you not see me standing up with a healthy body, my blood
renewed and pure from the journey, and here I am in your presence, having
walked all this distance, dragging the world1 by its horn behind
me?"
Omar then
asked him: "What are you carrying with you?" 'Umair replied: "I
am carrying my haversack, wherein I placed my food, a pot which I sometimes use
to cook my food and to wash my head and clothes, besides a special pouch for my
personal tools I use for my ritual ablution and for drinking, and furthermore,
I brought my goat, which I sometimes leaned on, and at other times, it was
useful to counter or to scare an enemy. Let Allah be my witness that the whole
world is of no importance after that."
Omar asked:
"Did you come back walking on foot?" 'Umair replied: "I
did." Omar further asked: "Was there no one to donate an animal for
you to ride on for this arduous long journey?" 'Umair replied: "They
neither offered me anything, nor did I ask any one for anything." Omar
then commented: "Most inauspicious are such Muslims you have left behind
you." 'Umair replied: "O Omar, you must fear Allah! You know well
that Allah forbade you to backbite others. Let me clarify here that when I last
saw them, they were engaged in a dhuha, mid-mourning supererogatory
prayers, and to this I bear witness."
Omar further asked:
"How much alms tax have you collected? And would you report to me about
the state of affairs you were sent to conduct?" 'Umair replied: "O
Commander and Prince of the Believers, please enunciate your question clearly!
What do you mean?" Omar exclaimed: "Glory be to Allah the All-Knowing
Lord!" 'Umair then said: "I was afraid to tell you the news should
they depress you. However, I must report to you since you have sent me to that
town to govern. As soon as I reached there, I called upon the righteous and
most trustworthy citizens, and I appointed them to collect the due alms. Each
time they brought me the money, I placed it where it belongs, and that is to
serve the town's immediate interest, and to improve people's lives. Should
there have been any money
over and above that, surely I would have brought it back to you."
Omar exclaimed:
"Then you have brought us nothing?" 'Umair replied in the
affirmative: "Nothing!" Omar pondered for a moment, and he then
turned to his immediate circle and said: "Renew for 'Umair his contract of
employment." Hearing that, 'Umair became upset and he said: "That's
something different! I expressly refuse to work for you or for anyone after you
from this day on. O Omar, I thought that you will be on my side! Is this
humiliation you brought me in pyblic the best of what you can offer as a reward
for my services? Surely the worst of my days are those which I had to share the
responsibility of this government with you."
'Umair immediately asked
Omar for permission to leave, and he walked back on foot to his house which was
situated at a distance of several miles from Madina.
Omar wanted to pursue his
intention, and as soon as 'Umair left, Omar turned to his companions and said:
"I have the feeling that he betrayed us!" Omar then gave someone
called al-Hârith one hundred Dinars and said to him: "Follow 'Umair to his
house, and pretend to wish to stay there as his guest. If you find something
unusual, come back and tell us about it. However, if you find him in dire need,
then give him this one hundred Dinars."
When al-Hârith arrived
near 'Umair's house at the outskirts of Madina, he found him sitting near the
wall outside his house boiling some water and washing his shirt. Al-Hârith paid
his regards to 'Umair who replied: "Come down, be our guest, may Allah's
mercy descend upon you." Hence, al-Hârith dismounted his mule, and he sat
near 'Umair, God be pleased with him.
'Umair asked al-Hârith:
"Where do you come from?"
- "From Madina." Al-Hârith replied.
'Umair inquired:
"How did you leave the commander of the believers when you left the
city?"
- "He was well when I left him." Al-Hârith replied.
'Umair further
inquired: "How are the Muslims doing in the city?" Again, al-Hârith
replied: "They are all fine."
'Umair asked:
"Does the commander of the believers execute the divine laws?"
Al-Hârith
replied: "Indeed he does. He lately caused the death of one of his own
sons, when he required him to pay for a major sin the son had committed."
'Umair then
prayed: "O Allah, help Omar, for I only know him to have intense love for
You."
'Umair had a
single batch of barley bread his wife prepared, and al-Hârith stayed as his
guest for three days and nights. 'Umair offered his guest a single meal every
day, while he and his wife slept hungry for the next three nights. After the
three days passed, 'Umair and his wife were exhausted, and 'Umair said to his
guest: "You have made us hungry. If it agrees with you to take leave and
return to your home, then please do so."
Immediately
al-Hârith pulled out one hundred Dinars from his pouch and said: "The
commander of the believers have sent you this gift to use for your basic
needs."
'Umair became
extremely upset as he exclaimed: "No, I have no need for it. Take it back
to him!"
The wife
suggested with a humble low voice: "Take it, and if you need it, then use
it, otherwise, place it where it should be."
Hearing his
wife, 'Umair immediately regained his calm as he replied to his wife:
"Allah is my witness, that I do not even have a pouch to keep it!"
The wife
immediately tore a piece from the bottom of her robe and handed it to him.
'Umair, God be pleased with him, wrapped the one hundred Dinars inside the
cloth, and he went along with his guest to a nearby village where he
distributed the money between the orphans among the children of the martyrs as
well as other poor residents. All the way through, al-Hârith also had hoped to
receive some of it, but 'Umair ignored his intuition. When they returned home,
'Umair said to al-Hârith: "Go back now, and convey my regards of peace to
the commander of the believers."
Thus,
al-Hârith returned to Omar, God be pleased with him, who asked him: "What
did you find out?" Al-Hârith replied: "O commander of the believers,
I witnessed austere conditions." Omar precipitated rigorously: "What
did he do with the money you gave to him?" Al-Harith became apprehensive
as he replied: "I have no idea!"
Omar immediately wrote a
message to 'Umair, saying: "Come here at once upon reading this notice,
and before you put down this message."
Shortly after that,
'Umair arrived, and Omar, God be pleased with him, asked him: "What did
you do with the money?" 'Umair replied: "I did with it whatever I
did. Why do you have to ask?" Feeling remorse, Omar appealed with tears in
his eyes: "I implore you earnestly to tell me about what did you do with
the money!" 'Umair replied: "I offered it in charity for my personal
benefit in the hereafter.". Omar commented: "Indeed, Allah has shown
you the way to receiving His mercy."
Immediately, Omar ordered
that a parcel containing a generous measure of food to be prepared and two new
garments be given to 'Umair. When they were brought in, 'Umair said: "As
for the food, I truly have no need for it, for I have left two measure of wheat
barley, and until they are consumed, I am confident that Allah, blessed be His
Name, will provide the needed provisions for what will come next. However, as
for the two garments, I will take them, for I have left my wife with a torn
robe, and she can use them."
'Umair then graciously
took the two garments, and he left immediately after this conversation with
Omar, and returned to his house.
'Umair died few days
after that event, may Allah's eternal mercy descend upon him died having
fulfilled his duties to the Allah, and content in His mercy. When Omar heard
the news, he felt for him and prayed for Allah's mercy to encompass him. That
day, Omar walked along with few of his companions to the Bacfi' cemetery
to visit 'Umair's grave. On their way, Omar, God be pleased with him, said:
"Let each one of you make a wish." Someone said: "O commander of
the believers, I wish that I had the needed money to free such and such number
of slaves from bondage for Allah's pleasure." Another man said: "O
commander of the believers, I wish that I had large sums of money to spend in
charity for Allah's pleasure." A third person said: "I wish that I
had the physical strength to stand by the well of Zamzam, and to draw out the
needed water to quench the thirst of all the pilgrims who visit Allah's
House." Omar, God be pleased with him, then prayed: "I wish that I
had another man such as 'Umair bnu Sa'ad to help me serve the needs of the
Muslims."
620-
Abu Talha al-Khawlani
said: "I once visited the house of 'Umair bnu Sa'ad in Palestine. He had a
unique personality, and he was frequently labeled 'a fabric of his own.'
Thereat, I found him sitting on a bench in his yard, and nearby there was an
artificial shallow pond made of stones which collected some drinking water for
the livestock he managed.
'Umair bnu
Sa'ad, God be pleased with him, turned to a servant who was standing by, and he
said to him: "Young man. Take the horses inside." When the servant
did what he was told, 'Umair looked towards the horses and he discovered that a
female horse was missing. 'Umair asked: "What happened to the other
horse?" The servant replied: "She is mangy, and she carries a
festering wound dripping blood." 'Umair asked: "Bring her in!"
The servant replied: "I am afraid that her mange could affect the other
horses!" 'Umair reiterated: "Bring her in, for I once heard God's
messenger upon whom be peace, say: "A disease does not spread on its own,
a bad omen does come except when invited, and only the heedless will wander
aimlessly."
'Umair
pointing out to emphasize the divine control of God Almighty, blessed be His
Name, continued: "Don't you see the camels in the desert, how
unexpectedly, and without contact with previously diseased animals, sometimes
they too develop festers or mange in varying parts of their body! Tell me, who
introduced the first virus?"
Also among our
peers and blessed sires, the foremost among all Muslims and the highly esteemed
companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, there is Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God
be pleased with him. He was regularly sought by the believers to explain
profound spiritual questions, to expound upon uncommon issues, and he was
blessed to arrive at uncommon, yet most convincing interpretations. Ubai
transcended yearning and its agony, and he rose to an exalted spiritual state
above common norms.
621-
'Abdullah bin Rabâh
narrated, re Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, once asked him: "O Abal-Munthir, which verse from the
revealed Book of Almighty Allah you consider most magnificent?" Ubai
replied: "The verse of the Divine Throne, and he recited: < Allah,
there is no god except Him, the ever Living, the sovereign controller. He is
not subject to slumber nor sleep. To Him belongs everything the heavens and the
earth hold, Who is there to intercede before Him except as He permits. He knows
what awaits the people and what will come thereafter. They encompass naught of
His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne encompasses the heavens and the
earth, and it does not weary Him to preserve them, for He is the Most Exalted,
the Magnificent > {Qur’an 2:255). God's messenger
upon whom be peace, then
stroke Ubai's chest and said: "O Abal- Munthir, most blessed is your
knowledge."
622-
Anas bin Malik, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once said
to Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him: "Allah, the Lord of majesty
and glory, blessed be His Name, has commanded me to rehearse the revelation to
you." Ubai became extremely emotional, he was struck with awe and
reverence of his Lord, and he inquired: "O messenger of Allah, did Allah,
the Most Exalted, mention me to you by name?" God's messenger ££, upon
whom be peace, replied: "Yes indeed, Allah mentioned you to me by
name;" and immediately Ubai burst into tears.
623-
In another narration of
the above account, Ja'far bin Muhammad bin 'Amr narrated, re Ubai Bnu Ka'ab,
God be pleased with him, that God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, said to
him: "I was commanded to rehearse the Qur'an before you." Ubai
replied: "I ask you in the Name of my Lord and your Lord of majesty and
glory, did He mention me by name?" God's messenger upon whom be peace,
answered: "Yes indeed, He mentioned you by your name." God's
messenger & then recited: < Say: It is (only) by the grace of Allah and
His mercy. Let them enjoy such a divine favor, for indeed He is better than all
what they cater to > (Qur'an 10:58).
624-
Also in another
narration, Mu'âth bin Ubai Bnu Ka'ab narrated, re his father, that God's
messenger Ufa, upon whom be peace, said to him: "I am commanded to
rehearse the Qur'an before you." Ubai replied: "O messenger of Allah!
You are the one who guided my faith, I embraced Islam at your hand, and it is
from you that I learn!" When God's messenger upon whom be peace,
reiterated his statement, 'Ubaid asked: "O messenger of Allah! Was I
mentioned by name?" God's messenger replied: "Yes indeed, you were
mentioned in the upper realms by name and lineage." Upon hearing that,
Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "Then read O messenger of
Allah."
625-
Al-Rabï' bin Anas, God be
pleased with him, narrated that Abul 'Âliya said: "When Ubai heard what
God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, had to say, he burst out crying, and I do not know whether he was moved
by love or fear."
626-
Ja'far bin Muhammad
narrated that Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "I went to
God's messenger upon whom be peace, and he placed the palm of his hand on my
chest, and he prayed, 'I call upon Allah's protection to shield you against
doubt and refutation.'
Ubai Bnu
Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, commented: "Immediately, my eyes became
filled with tears, and it was as though I was witnessing the distinct presence
of my Lord."
627-
Qays Bnu 'Ubâd narrated:
"I once traveled to Madina to meet the companions of God's messenger ÎË,
upon whom be peace, and I longed mostly to meet Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased
with him. As soon as I arrived to Madina, I went to the mosque and I sat in the
front raw near the mihrâb (prayer niche). When Ubai Bnu Ka'ab came out,
he lead the congregational prayers, and when he finished, he sat down and
spoke. Surely, I have never seen before people who were so eager to hear
someone, with their heads poked out and listening attentively. During his
speech, Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said, '...I swear by the Lord
of the Ka'ba that the loyalists who make their covenant with the leaders of the
world, and who pay their allegiance to its princes, have called for their own
demise!' — Ubai repeated this statement thrice, and then he added, — 'In fact,
they have called for their own destruction as well as that of others. I am not
sorry for them, I am only sorry for the innocent Muslims they deceive and steer
to their destruction as well.' "
628-
Qays Bnu 'Ubâd narrated:
"I prayed in the mosque of God's messenger Í&, upon whom be
peace, in Madina, and I was in the front raw, when suddenly a man came towards
me, and he pulled me to the side and then stood up in my place to pray two rak'ât.
I looked at him, and I recognized him tÓ be Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with
him. As soon as he concluded his prayers with the regards of peace, Ubai looked
straight at me and said, 'Young man, Allah is not iniquitous, do not
misconstrue the divine wisdom. This is the promise, God's messenger upon whom
be peace, entrusted us to keep up.' Ubai then turned towards the Qibla,
the communal direction of prayers, and said, T swear by the Lord of the Ka'ba
that the loyalists who make their covenant with the leaders of the world, and
who pay their allegiance to its princes, have called for their own demise!' —
Ubai, God be pleased with him, repeated this statement thrice, and he added, —
T am not sorry for them, nay, let Allah be my witness, I am not sorry for them,
but rather I feel sorry for the innocent Muslims they lead astray.' "
629-
Muhammad bin Ahmad bin
al-Hassan narrated that in one of his sermons, Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased
with him, said: "O ye people! Follow the leading path (sabil) and
the prophetic traditions {sunna), for the fire of hell does not touch a
servant of Allah who is committed to the leading path, and whose eyes overflow
with tears whenever he remembers the Merciful Lord. Surely a servant of Allah
who follows the leading path and the prophetic traditions of zikr,
regularly remembering the merciful Lord, his sins will fall off his shoulders
whenever he develops goose flesh, and whenever he is seized by reverence and awe
for Almighty Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, just as the dried leaves of
a withered tree fall off when the wind swings by them. To be steadfast with
moderation on a leading path, and to follow the prophetic traditions of zikr,
oft-remembering the merciful Lord, is better than toiling to achieve a personal
interpretation which may lead one to stray from the direction of God's path and
that of the prophetic traditions. Therefore, consider your deeds and endeavors
carefully, and whether you pursue steadfastness in moderation, or exert
extraneous efforts in religious interpretations (ijtihad), always make
sure that they follow the exalted pathway of God's prophets and their blessed
traditions."
630-
Al-Rabf bin Anas narrated
that a man said to Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him: "Advise
me!" Ubai Bnu Ka'ab replied: "Let the Qur'an, the Book of Allah be
your guide (Imam). Accept it as your supreme judge and arbitrator, for
indeed the glorious Book of Allah, the most exalted, is the everlasting
inheritance His messenger upon whom be peace, has left for you. Regularly
reading its divine words will bring it to intercede on your behalf on the Day
of Judgment, and its admonitions must never be disobeyed. In fact, God's Book
is an infallible witness, it is flawless, and its clarity and lucidity are
irreproachable. It talks about your generation, and the history of nations that
preceded you. In it, you will find the needed justice to interpret and resolve
your conflicts. It reconfirms the earlier prophecies about your time, and those
relating to the generations that will come after you, and up to the Day of
Judgment."
631-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him,
interpreted the Qur'anic verse, 4 Say: He it is that has the power to send
calamities upon you from above you and from beneath you, to try you with
confusion and dissension among yourselves, and to let some of you taste
sufferings at the hands of each others. - See how We explain the signs, so
perhaps they may understand*} (Qur'an 6:65), and Ubai said: "These
are four major trials, all of which are awesome calamities, and all of them
will unfailingly take place. Two of them started to take place about twenty
five years after the passing of God's messenger upon whom be peace. They are
the calamity of confusion and dissension, and the calamity of torment and
sufferings at the hands of each others. The other two calamities will
unfailingly take place, and these represent major earthquakes and death by stoning."
632-
Abu Muhammad Hamed bin
Hayyàn narrated that Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "There
is nothing in this world which God's servant renounces for the pleasure of
Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, and for which the Almighty
Lord will not compensate him and reward him with what is better, and He will
provided him with such replacement from sources he does not anticipate. On the
other hand, whenever God's servant disesteems, or contemptuously accepts
something he regards as trivial, when he should not, Allah, the Lord of majesty
and glory, blessed be His Name, will inflict him with what is more harmful in
areas he cannot foresee."
633-
Muhammad bin Ishaq
narrated that Ubai Bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "When we were
with God's messenger Si, upon whom be peace, we stood up united as one
front, and with one aspiration, and only after he passed that we began to look
different."
634-
'Atiy Bnu Dhumra narrated
that Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "When we were with
God's messenger Si, upon whom be peace, we stood up united as one front,
and with one aspiration. Only after he departed that we dispersed right and
left."
635-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated that Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "The food of
the human being gives us a good parable to better understand the potentiality
of this world, even if people garnish it and add salt to it."
636-
also in reference to the
above account, attributing the origin of the above saying to a prophetic
tradition, re Sufyan al-Thawri, re Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him,
that God's messenger Si, upon whom be peace, said: "Human's food
illustrates what this world is worth. Consider what the human being excretes, —
although he may add salt to his food and garnish it, and yet, he knows well
what it will eventually become."
637-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyàn
narrated that a man came to Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, and said:
"O Abul' Munthir, there is a verse in Allah's Book which causes me extreme
uneasiness!" Ubai inquired: "Which verse is that?" The man read:
< Whoever commits an evil act will have to pay for it > (Qur'an
4:123)" Ubai, God be pleased with him, replied: "In essence, this
verse is a blessing in disguise, and it describes a believing servant in Allah,
blessed be His Name, for in this world, when a believing servant bears his
adversities with patience, his exercise will cleanse him and render him sinless
when he meets his Lord."
638-
Sa'id bin Qatâda narrated
that Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "In paradise, Adam,
peace be upon him, was a tall man, his chest was covered with furry-like long
and thick hair, and from a distance, he looked like a towering hollow palm
tree. When he committed his sin, his lost his hair, and feeling ashamed of
himself, he ran aimlessly across paradise, seeking a place to hide out but to
no avail. While he was running, a branch of a tree stubbornly clung to his
head. Adam tried to free himself from it, but to no avail, and he said to it,
'Let go of me!' The tree replied, 'I will not do that.' At that moment, his
Lord called him, 'O Adam, are you running away from Me?' Adam, peace be upon
him, humbly replied, 'I feel ashamed of myself before You my Lord!' "
639-
Ahmad bin Ja'far bin
Ma'bad narrated that Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said: "A
believer is recognized by four characteristics, 1) He is patient during trials;
2) he is grateful when he receives a gift; 3) he is truthful when he speaks;
and, 4) he is equitable when he sits to judge. Hence, a true believer revolves
between five dimensions of radiant lights. Such are the lights described by
Allah, blessed be His Name, in His saying, < Light upon light > (Qur'an
24:35), 1) His words are full of light; 2) his knowledge is full of light;
3) the avenues he embarks upon are radiant with light; 4) the gates from where
he emerges are radiant with light; and finally, 5) on the Day of Resurrection,
his destination is towards the most sublime heavenly light."
"As to
the atheist, he revolves around five spheres of darkness, 1) His speech is full
of darkness; 2) his deeds are made of darkness;
3) his goals drive him from one avenue of darkness into another;
4) the gates from where he emerges are mazes of darkness; and 5) on
the Day of Resurrection, his fate will carry him to the abysmal abode of
darkness."
640-
'Abdullah bin al-Hârith, son
of Nawfal, narrated: "I was once in a crowded fruit market, standing under
the canopy of a palm tree, and next to me stood Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased
with him. Ubai said, 'Do you not see how people are branching out in different
directions, each one of them soliciting the better comfort of this world?' I
replied, 'Indeed, I do!' Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, said, T once
heard God's messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, say, 'Approaching is an horrific
advent, the Euphrates river will recede to unveil a mountain of gold that is
hidden beneath it. As soon as people from all over the world hear about it,
they will hurry with impetuousness towards it. The inhabitants of the land will
say, 'If we let the nations take away what belongs to us, we will have nothing
left for our own needs.' Hence, a war will escalate, and nations will fight and
kill one another, and only one out of a hundred people will escape the
onslaught.'"
641-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, once asked God's
messenger ££, upon whom be peace: "O messenger of Allah, what is the
reward of suffering a fever?" God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied:
"A fever carries forth countless blessing upon its sufferer, and he is
rewarded for every step he takes with hardship, and for every drop of sweat he
perspires." Ubai then prayed: "My Lord, I ask You to bestow upon me
the blessing of a fever that does not impede me from striving on Your path, a
fever that does not stop me from making a pilgrimage to You House, or from
praying at the mosque of Your prophet upon whom be peace."
Muhammad Ibn
Mu'âth commented on the above narration, saying: "Since that prayer, Ubai
bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, suffered a fever each night for the balance
of his life."
642-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger ëè,
upon whom be peace, said: "Announce to this nation the tidings of a high
rank which is reserved exclusively for them, the advantage of divine help and
ultimate victory, and the blessing of a divine investiture. Nevertheless,
whosoever takes advantage of the deeds of the hereafter to benefit from them in
this world, will have no share to partake of in the hereafter."
643-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated, re al-Tufail bnu Ka'ab, that his father, Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be
pleased with him, said: "God's messenger upon whom be peace, used to say
every night, 'O ye people! The great day of upheaval, the day of < the great
quickening (of the souls) has arrived, and coming thereafter is the day of the
greater commotion, > (upon resurrection) {Qur'an 79:6). Indeed, death
has come whole, and the doomsday is coming soon after it.' God's messenger upon
whom be peace, used to repeat this call thrice as soon as the first quarter of
the night fell."
644-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re Ubai bnu Ka'ab, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, said to him: "Would you like me to teach you few words
Gabriel, peace be upon him, has taught me?" Ubai replied: "O messenger
of Allah, indeed, I would like so very much." God's messenger ■&,
said: "Pray regularly, 'O My Lord forgive me all my faults, my intentional
ones, my joshing wittiness, and my sober earnestness. O My Lord, do not deprive
me of the benefits and blessings embodied in what You bestow upon me, and do
not try me with what You deny me.' "
Here is
another revered sire and a peer, a model and a teacher who practiced what he
taught. His name is Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, the sincere companion and the
treasured companion of God's messenger upon whom be peace. He exercised self
restraint, and he riveted his aspirations to respond with constancy to his
spiritual longing. Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, was a savant
in religious jurisprudence, a wise man, and an equitable judge. Abu Müsa was
often seen sitting alone contemplating and meditating in the valleys of the
enamored seekers in love with the spiritual reality. Hence, Abu Müsa was filled
with gratitude, and he was always focusing upon the minutely marvelous and
majestic display of the unfathomable divine work. He was often heard reciting
the Qur'an in the middle of the night with a most superbly expressive and rich
melodic voice, engrossed in his prayers and savoring the meaning of the Qur'anic
revelation, word by word, and verse by verse, contemplating their admonitions.
Abu Müsa, God be pleased with him, often fasted during the scorching heat of
the days, and he exhausted his long nights in prayers.
On this
subject, it is said that spiritual attainment is the feasting of the
enthusiastic and mystified heart in the lush fields of the everlasting divine
protection and comfort.
645-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger Ufa, upon whom be
peace, sent Mu'âth Ibn Jabal and Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with both
of them, to Yemen, and he asked them to teach the Qur'an to its people.
646-
Qurra bin Khalid narrated
that Abu Rajâ' al-'Atâridi said: "Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with
him, used to move between our Qur'an studying circles in al-Basra mosque, in
Iraq, and he used to sit with us and instruct us. I can still remember him
sitting with us, wearing his white cloak, and teaching me the Qur'an. It is
from him that I have learned and memorized the first revelation, 4 Read in the Name of your
Lord Who created (everything). He is the One Who creates humankind from a
coagulated blood. Read and proclaim His glory, for your Lord is the most
bounteous (Teacher). He teaches by the writings of the (primordial) Pen, and He
teaches the human being (by revealing) a knowledge, he (otherwise) does not
know > (Qur'an 96:1-5).
Abu Rajâ'
al-'Atâridi further continued: "This chapter was the first revelation that
descended upon God's messenger Muhammad upon whom be peace."
647-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that when Abu Müsa al- Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, arrived to
Yemen, he said in his opening sermon: "The commander of the believers,
Omar bin al- Khattâb, God be pleased with him, sent me to teach you the Book of
your Lord, blessed be His Name, the Lord of majesty and glory. He also
commissioned me to teach you the blessed traditions (sunan) of your
prophet upon whom be peace, and to cleanse and purify your conventions."
648-
Muhammad bin Ja'far bin
al-Haytham narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, once
called the Qur'an readers to a meeting, and he asked that only those who have
memorized the entire Qur'an by heart should come to see him. Some three hundred
of them came to hear his admonition and he said to them: "You are
responsible for rehearsing the divine revelation to the people of this city. Do
not let your hearts harden as time pass by, and as did the hearts of the People
of the Book before you."
"We have
heard a prophetic admonition which is similar in length and might to the
warning revealed in Süra Barâ'af where God's messenger also said, 'If
the son of Adam had two valleys filled with gold, he will strive to own a third
one to increase his possessions, although, nothing will eventually fill the
hollowness of the son of Adam but dirt (when he lies in his grave).' "
"In
another revelation, we called musabbihât (hymns of glorification), the
beginning of which is kept as the first verse of Süra Al-Saff,[XXIX]
[XXX]
and where Almighty Allah says, f O ye who (claim to) have faith, why do you say
things which you do not act upon?> (Qur'an 61:2), a testimony which
you will carry upon your shoulders, and which is inscribed in your records, and
for which you will be accountable on the Day of Judgment."
649-
Also in reference to the
above account, Abu Kinâna, who also was present during the abovementioned
meeting, narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, after
praising the divine revelation and glorifying the magnificence of the holy
Qur'an, he added, that for merely knowing the truth of its revelation,
"this Qur'an can either be your blessed reward, or it can become your
unwieldy burden on the Day of Reckoning. Follow the Qur'an, and do not let the
Qur'an follow you! For whosoever follows the Qur'an, it will lead him to the
heavenly gardens of paradise, and whosoever is followed by the Qur'an, it will
chase him and impel him until it shoves him into the abyss of hell-fire."
650-
'Abdullah bin Buraida
narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once heard Abu Müsa
al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, recite the Qur'an, and he said:
"Surely this man is given one of the most beautiful melodious voices and a
spirit as those emitted by the flutes of the family of God's prophet David,
peace be upon him."
When Buraida reported
what he heard from God's messenger upon who be peace, to Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari,
God be pleased with him, Abu Müsa said to him: "Now that you have told me
what God's messenger ¿¡i, upon who be peace, have said, surely you have become
my true and sincere friend."
651-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, re Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with
him, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, was once walking along with the
mother of the believers, 'Aisha, God be pleased with her, and as they passed by
his house, they heard him reciting the Qur'an. God's messenger and 'Aisha
stopped by the wall of his house and they listened for a while before they
continued on their way home.
The next morning, Abu
Müsa came to see God's messenger upon who be peace, who said to him: "O
Abu Müsa, I was walking last night with 'Aisha, and when we reached your house,
we heard you rehearsing the Qur'an, so we stopped and listened for a while to
your recital." Abu Müsa replied: "O blessed prophet of Allah, I wish
I knew you were there, for I would have enhanced my voice, and improved my
rendition."
652-
Thâbit al-Banâni
narrated, re Anas bnu Malik, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, said: "Surely Abu Müsa is endowed with a beautiful
melodious voice and a spirit such as those that once emanated from the flutes
of the family of God's prophet David, peace be upon him."
653-
Muhammad bin Omar bin
Salam narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb used to say to Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God
be pleased with both of them: "Remind us of our Lord, all glory and
majesty are His, and blessed be His Name," and Abu Müsa would immediately
read from the Qur'an.
654-
Sulaimân al-Teemi
narrated that Abi 'Uthmân al-Nahdi, said: "Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be
pleased with him, once led us in the dawn fajr prayer, and I have never
heard a voice of such beautiful resonance and melodiousness, neither from a
resonant cymbal, nor from the plucking of a sonorous lute."
655-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Masrouq said: "We were traveling
with Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, and the night led us to take
rest in a cultivated farm. That night, Abu Músa stood up to pray, and he
recited the Qur'an with a most melodious voice and eloquent diction, and he
read long chapters from the Qur'an. When he stood up in quniitf Abu Müsa
prayed, 'My Lord, indeed Thou art the Peace, and peace comes from Thee. Thou
art the Believer, and Thou loveth the believer; Thou art the Controlling
Guardian, and Thou loveth one who controls his stimuli and guards his covenant;
and indeed Thou art the Truthful, and Thou loveth the truthful."
656-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Anas bnu Malik, God be pleased with him,
said: "We once traveled with Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him,
and during our journey, he heard people discussing the path with a great
lucidity and intellectual input, using the most eloquent and stylistic
expressions. Abu Müsa looked towards me and said in dismay, 'What happen to me
O Anas? Why do people's talking in such manner depresses me? Let's go somewhere
else and remember our Lord, for the sharp tongues of these (intellectuals) can
even gnaw apart food that is hard to chew on.' "
As we moved
on, Abu Müsa added: "O Anas! Do you know what obstructs people from
seeking the hereafter and hinders their perseverance and pursuit of its
promise?" Anas replied: "I guess wantonness and satan will do
that!" Abu Müsa replied: "Nay, I swear by Allah, it is not that, but
it is their attachment to the ephemeral pleasures of this world that attracts
them to such a degree, making the permanent comfort of the hereafter seem
distant in their minds; and yet, even if they were to behold its physical form
and examine its trueness, they will still be adamant in their pursuit of the
pleasures of this world, and they will not waiver or relinquish their
attachment to it, nor will they turn back to the straight path."
657-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with
him, once learned that some people were so
poor and had no clothes to wear 1
Quniit: A pre-concluding segment of one's prayers, where one submissively
implores and praises his Lord, blessed be His Name.
in public, and that's
what prevents them from attending the Friday congregational prayers. Upon
hearing that, Abu Müsa immediately threw his cloak over his shoulders, and he
went out to the mosque to lead the congregational prayers and to speak on this
subject."
658-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that his father Abu Müsa al- Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, once said to
him: "O my dear son: during the time of God's messenger upon whom be
peace, — (during the Meccan period) if only you could see us then. We were so
poor, and we had no change of clothes that when it rained on us, we smelled
like sheep."
659-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
ÆÈ, upon whom be peace, once said: "Seventy of God's prophets walked
barefooted by the rock in Jerusalem, near the lower plains, having nothing to
wear but a mere worn out cloak, with which, each one of them wrapped himself to
guard his modesty."
660-
Abi Burda narrated that
Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said to him: "We once
embarked on a campaign by sea. One evening, the sails were raised, and the wind
was favorably, hauling our ship with the right pace. In the middle of that
night, we heard a deep loud voice calling from above, 'O people of this ship!
Come out and let me tell you something.' — The loud voice of the imperceptible
being thus called us seven times. _ I Immediately left my bed and went to the
deck, and I looked up and said, 'Who are you, and where do you come from?' The
voice replied, 'Would you like me to tell you about a decree, Allah, the Lord
of majesty and glory, exalted be His Name, has taken upon Himself?' I said, 'Indeed,
tell us!' The voice said, 'It is decreed that whosoever thirsts himself on a
hot day for the sake of Allah, He, the most exalted, has taken it upon Himself
to quench his thirst on the Day of Resurrection.' "
Abi Burda continued:
"From that day on, Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, used to
fast during the hottest days of the summer, when one's skin could nearly burn
under the scorching heat of the sun ."
661-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Músa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with
him, said: "I take my bath in a dark room, and yet, I do not stand up
unless I put on my robe, because I shy to stand up naked before my Lord."
662-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said: "A true
believer should expect this world to offer him nothing but sorrowful and
tiresome labor, besides luring and haunting trials."
663-
Abu Dâwoud narrated that
Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, once said: "What destroyed
earlier nations and lead to their annihilation was nothing but their love for
the Dinar and dirham, and it will unfailingly do the same to you."
664-
Ghunaim bin Qays narrated
that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said: "The heart is the
seat of emotions and temperaments, and thus it is called qalb in Arabic,
because of its constant motion and change of temperament. In fact, the parable
of the heart is like that of a drifting feather in a desert, the lightest
breeze moves it around.
665-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with
him, once delivered a sermon at a mosque in Basra, Iraq, where he said: "O
ye people! Cry as much as you can, and if you could not find such deep emotions
in your hearts, then feign your crying in the hope of receiving the divine
mercy, for the dwellers of hell-fire will cry endlessly, and until there will
be no more tears in their eyes, and after that, they will have nothing but
tears of blood in sorrow, and which will run profusely like huge rivers where
even ships can float because of what they have brought upon themselves."
666-
'Utba bin Ghazwân
al-Raqâshi narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, saw his
eyeball protruded, and he asked him: "What happened to your eye?"
'Utba replied: "I once glanced at a group of men, and I noticed a
beautiful maiden serving them. My eyes were fixed on her for a moment before
suddenly my eyeball projected as you see." Abu Müsa said: "Ask your
Lord for forgiveness, for surely you have been needlessly unjust towards your
own eye. In protecting the chastity of your eyes, you should know that you are
not liable for an inadvertent passing first glance, but then, you are
accountable for the next glance."
667-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said: "On the Day of
Resurrection, the sun will be positioned vertically over people's heads, and
their deeds will either shade them or expose them to its intense heat."
668-
Abi Burda narrated that
Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said: "On the Day of
Judgment, the believing servant will be brought before his Lord for his
individual reckoning, and Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, will
veil His servant with His own presence, away from the sight of the creation, so
that they cannot see him. For every good deed, Almighty Allah sees in the
records of His servant, He says, 'I accept/ and immediately the servant will
prostrate himself in gratitude before his Lord, and for every wrongdoing, God
Almighty sees in the records of His servant, He says, 'I forgive.' and again,
the servant will prostrate himself in gratitude before his Lord. When the
personal reckoning of the believing servant is finally brought to conclusion,
and when the creation see him anew, they will say, 'Blessed be this servant,
for surely he has never committed a single wrongdoing.' "
669-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
narrated that Abu Müsa al- Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, said: "The
soul of a believing servant comes out his body having a sweet scent that is
more fragrant than musk. The angels in charge will escort it up, and when they
meet the guardian angels of the lower firmament, the latter will inquire,
'Whose soul are you bringing with you?' They will reply, 'This is the soul of
so and so,' and they will speak of him referring to the best of his deeds. The
guardian angels of the lower firmament will rejoice, and they will say, 'May
Allah receive you and the person you are bringing with you with His utmost
favorable regards.' Immediately, the gates to the upper firmaments will open,
the believer's countenance will immediately glow with light, and he will be
brought before the divine Lord Whose presence is distinct and readily
perceivable like the daylight."
"On the other hand,
when the soul of the evildoer comes out of his body, it emits a mephitic smell
which is more repugnant than a decaying corpse. The angels in charge will
escort it up, and when they meet the guardian angels of the lower firmament,
the latter will inquire, 'Whose soul are you bringing with you?' They will
reply, 'This is the soul of so and so,' and they will speak of him referring to
the most evil of his deeds. The guardian angels of the lower firmament will
become disgusted, and they will say, 'Take him back, for Allah was nevér unjust
to him.' "
Abu Músa
al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, then read: <They will not enter
paradise until a camel fits through the eye of a needle > (Qur'an 7:40).
670-
'Amru bnu Khalid narrated
that when Abu Müsa al- Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, laid on his deathbed,
he called his children to his side, and he said to them: "Go and dig a
grave, and make it spacious and deep." When the children completed what
their father asked them to do, they came back and reported to their father:
"We dug a grave, and we made it large and deep as you asked." Abu
Müsa, God be pleased with him, then said: "I swear by Allah, that it will
soon come to one of two conclusions: 1) Either my grave will expand to form
angles stretching up to forty yards wide, and then a doorway to paradise will
open to reveal my house, family, stations, blessings, and honors Allah has
reserved for me, and I will then know my way to my dwellings therein better
than I know the road to my house in this world; and I will smell the fragrance
of paradise and perceive the vivacity of that station up to the Day of
Resurrection; or 2) should it be the opposite, — and we too seek refuge in
Allah's mercy from such culmination, — then my grave will tighten down to
be smaller than the bushing of a spearhead, and then a doorway to hell-fire
will open to reveal my chains, shackles, and the like concatenations reserved
for fellows who dwell in gahannam (hell-fire), and I will immediately
know the way to my seat of punishment therein better than I know the road to my
house today; and moreover, I will smell the baneful stench of its poisons, and
experience the intensity and fieriness of its blazes up to the Day of
Resurrection."
671-
Abi Burda narrated that
when Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, was dying, he called his
children to his bedside, and he said to them: "My dear children! Remember
the story of 'The Man With A Loaf of Bread.' Listen carefully to his story:
Once upon a time, there lived a man in a hermitage who for seventy years had
dedicated his entire existence to worshipping Almighty Allah, and he only left
his cell one day a week to acquire his basic needs. One day, while in the
market, satan made an attractive woman seduce him, and the man was lured to
stay with her for seven days and nights. On the seventh day, the veil of
darkness that shrouded his clarity was lifted, and the man left the woman's
house repenting to God Almighty. With every step the man took, he prayed and
prostrated himself to Allah, ashamed of himself, fearful of the consequences of
his sin, and he kept on imploring for forgiveness. By nightfall, his steps led
him to a shop, near which sat twelve paupers." .
"In that town, there
lived a monk who daily sent these twelve paupers a loaf of bread each. That
night, his servant carried the twelve loaves of bread and brought them for
distribution, and in the dark, the servant distributed a loaf of bread for each
indigent, and when he reached the extra man who sat in their midst, not
counting their number, the servant thought him to be one of indigents, and he
handed him a loaf of bread. As he was leaving, the one pauper who did not
receive his share for that night, shouted, 'Why have you not given me my usual
loaf of bread? You have never done that before!' The servant who had not
realized what happened became upset, and he replied, 'Do you think that I have
kept anything away from you, or do you think that I kept it for myself?' Ask
around you, did I give any one sitting here two loaves of bread instead of
one?' They replied, 'No!' The servant then said, 'You are probably accusing me
of keeping it for myself! I swear by Allah, that I will not give you anything
for tonight.' Immediately, the repenting man made what happen known, and he
handed his loaf of bread over to the person who did not get his share for that
night."
"By sunrise, the
repenting man was found dead in the street near that shop. When the angels came
and weighed his deeds, the seventy years of worship he offered did not measure
up to the weight of his sin during the last seven nights of his life, but when
the angels weighed the sin of the last seven nights and his last peace offering
of the single loaf of bread he gave to that pauper, his charity weighed
heavier, and thus he was saved from eternal damnation."
Abu Músa
al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, then added: "My dear children, always
remember this story of 'The Man With A Loaf Of Bread'."
672-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Abu Müsa al-Ash'ari, God be pleased with him, once visited the
church of John the Baptist, in the city of Homs, Syria, and when he heard the
call to prayers from a distant mosque, he turned towards the direction of the
Ka'ba in Mecca, and he offered his regular prayer. When he left, Abu Müsa
thanked Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, and he then turned to the
people who accompanied him, and said, 'O ye people, you are living in a time
where one who offers his deeds solely for the sake of Allah, the most exalted,
will be awarded one reward, and there will come a time, when one who offers his
deeds solely for the sake of Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, will
be awarded double his reward.'
Among our
peers, the blessed companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, there also
lived Shaddâd bin Aows al- Ansâri, patronymed Abu Ya'lâ, God be pleased with
him. He always weighed his words carefully, and he spoke with flawless clarity
and superb vision and perspicacity. Shaddâd bin Aows was vigilant, wary, pious,
godly, and reserved. He cried often because of his love for Almighty Allah and
in fear of His displeasure, and he mostly tied up his tongue, and was humble
and reserved.
673-
Al-Faraj bin Fadhâla
narrated that every night when Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, went
to bed, he mostly stayed up restless nights pondering the hereafter, and he
prayed: "My Lord! Thinking about the fire of hell makes me
sleepless." Shaddâd would then leave his bed and stand up in prayers until
dawn.
674-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, said: "O people!
I am afraid that as long as you are in this world, you have only seen the
antecedent of good and evil. The real good in its entirety is in paradise, and
the real evil in its entirety is in hell-fire. In fact, what one experiences in
this world is a preview evincing what is to come. In fact, in the world, both
the truthful pious and the insolent profligate eat on its table, yet, the
hereafter is a genuine truthful promise which is governed by a mighty King. O
people! Everything has offspring, therefore, strive to be the children of the
permanent abode of the hereafter, and not the children of this ephemeral
world."
675-
Abu Ddardâ', God be
pleased with him, once extolled Shaddàd bin Aows, God be pleased with him,
saying: "Some people are endowed with knowledge but are deprived of
forbearance, while God Almighty has endowed Abu YaTâ with both knowledge and
forbearance."
676-
Shaddàd bin Aows, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger 4^, upon whom be peace, said:
"O people! This world is a display evincing what is to come, for in this
world, both the truthful pious and the insolent profligate eat on its table.
Surely the hereafter, will come, and it is a genuine truthful promise which is
governed by a supreme mighty King. In it, truth will permeate everything, and
falsehood is nonexistent. O people! Be the children of the hereafter and not
the children of this ephemeral world, for children follow their mother by
nature."
677-
Abu 'Amr bin Hamdan
narrated that during that speech, Shaddàd bin Aows, God be pleased with him,
also quoted God's messenger #, upon whom be peace, to have said during the
abovequoted speech: "O people! Do what is good, and be wary of Allah. You
must also know that you will surely have to face your deeds in the hereafter,
and that you will unfailingly meet your Lord. Therefore, < Whosoever does an
atom's weight of good will reap its benefit, and whosoever does an atom's
weight of evil will have to face its consequences > (Qur'an 99:7)."
678-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Abu Ddardâ, God be pleased with him, said: "Every nation has
an expert theologian (faqtfi), and the expert theologian of this nation
is Shaddàd bin Aows."
679-
Thâbit al-Banàni narrated
that Shaddàd bin Aows once said to a companions: "Bring us this food to
ail with!" The companion was surprised as he replied: "Since I met
you, I have never heard you utter such a slang!" Shaddâd replied: "Indeed,
since the passing of God's messenger upon whom be peace, I am not aware to have
had a slip of a tongue which was not misconstrued, or perhaps sometimes
misunderstood, although I try my best to weigh my words, and to lie up my
tongue. I swear by Allah, that you will never hear another slip of a tongue
from me again!"
680-
Also in reference to the
above account, Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan narrated that Shaddâd bin Aows, God be
pleased with him, once said to some of his companions: "Get us this food
to play with." Subsequently, and for few days, some people used that slang
jestingly during their own conversations.
It was well
known in the community that Shaddâd bin Aows does not speak in vein, or talk
jestingly, and someone commented: "Listen to what Abu Ya'lâ has come up
with!"
When Shaddâd
heard what the people were saying, he called them up and said: "O my
brothers' children, listen to me. I have never had a slip of a tongue since I
took my covenant with God's messenger upon whom be peace, and I have often
tried my best to weigh my words and to tie up my tongue. Come and let me teach
you something better than what you heard, but promise me not to use the
expression you perceived earlier, and instead use what is better. Pray, 'Our
Lord, we ask You to strengthen our endeavors, endow us firmness against
temptations, and grant us with an unwavering determination, certitude, and
wisdom. Endow us with thankfulness for Your bounty and blessings, and teach us
how to worship You best. Our Lord, grant us a healthy heart and a truthful
tongue. Grant us the benefit of what You know is best, and protect us against
what You know to be evil.' "
681-
Also in reference to the
above account, Imam al-Awza'i narrated that Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased
with him, once visited some friends, and when he got hungry, he said:
"Bring us some food to toy with." Someone said: "O Abu Ya'lâ,
what did you say?" Somehow, it seemed that a group of people took offense
to the expression. When Shaddâd realized that, he immediately said: "Since
I became Muslim, whenever I spoke a word, I first selected it, and chewed on it
for a while, and only when it felt right, I spoke it, except for the expression
you have just heard. Please do not quote me, and instead you may quote the
following account. I once heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say, 'When
you see people hoarding gold and silver, then remember these words, and pray,
'My Lord, I ask You to grant me strength against temptations and firmness in my
faith, and strengthen me with resoluteness and determination to seek
forthrightness. My Lord, I ask You to forgive me all my sins, surely there is
nothing is hidden from You, and indeed You are the All-Knowing Lord.' "
682-
In his narration of the
above account, Abu Ash'ath al- San'âni quoted Shaddâd, that God's messenger
upon whom be peace, said to him: "O Shaddâd, when you see people hoarding
gold and silver, then invoke this prayer, 'My Lord, grant me strength against
temptations, firmness in my faith, and strengthen me with resoluteness,
determination, and forthrightness. Lord, guide me to do deeds that yield Your
mercy upon me, and inspire me intentions which further Your compassion upon me,
to forgive me my sins. Lord, embody me with gratitude for Your favors, and
teach me how to worship You rightly. Grant me a heart filled with piety, and
endow me a truthful and a chaste tongue."[XXXI]
683-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated, re Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
upon whom be peace, said: "A good person is one who casts no blame upon
any ones except himself, and he labors hard for the benefit of his own life
after death, while a weak person is one who follows his carnality and hastens
to satisfy his mind and desire, and yet, he anticipates his Lord to confer upon
him the best of divine favors in the hereafter."
684-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdân
narrated that when Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, was on his
deathbed, he said to his companions: "The most I fear for you are
hypocrisy and concealed wantonness."
685-
'Atâ' bin 'Ajlân narrated
that Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, once passed by 'Ubâda bin
Nasiy, and together, they went to Shaddâd's house. A moment after they sat down
in his house, Shaddâd burst into tears, and his crying caused 'Ubâda to cry as
well. When Shaddâd recovered, he inquired from 'Ubâda: "Why are you
crying?" The latter replied: "I saw you cry, and that affected
me!" Shaddâd said: "I cried because I remembered something God's
messenger upon whom be peace, had said, 'The most I fear for my umma (of
followers) is polytheism and concealed wantonness.' "
Shaddâd then
said to God's messenger Ofc, upon whom be peace: "As to one of the
two, there is no way to escape it!" God's messenger upon whom be peace,
further expounded: "They will not worship a sun nor a moon, nor will they
set up idols for worship, but they will offer deeds for other than the pleasure
of Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory."
'Ubâda and Abu
Ddardâ' immediately exclaimed: "Lord forgive all of us. O Shaddâd, didn't
God's messenger upon whom be peace, tell us that 'satan has lost all hope to
ever be worshiped in the Arabian peninsula.' Now, as to the concealed desires,
that one everyone knows about, and that is desire for women and wealth, then
what is this shirk (polytheism) you are warning us about O
Shaddâd?" He replied: "Do you see, if a man worships
686-
In his account of the
above prophetic tradition, Sulaimân bin Ahmad also narrated that Shaddâd bin
Aows, God be pleased with him, quoted God's messenger upon whom be peace, to
have said: "The most I fear for my umma (of followers) is if they
should ascribe an associate to Almighty Allah, and to be overtaken by concealed
desires. As to such hidden desire, this is when a man wakes up fasting in the
morning, and then, when he sees something that excites him, he asks for it and
breaks his fast. As to the polytheists, these are people who do not worship
stones nor idols, and yet they do what they do for show."
687-
Laith bnu Saleem
narrated, re Shaddâd bin Aows, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
££, upon whom be peace, also commented on the abovementioned type of
polytheism, saying: "Allah, the most exalted, says, 'I am the best to
justly divide the shares with someone who associates a partner with Me.
Therefore, whosoever associates someone with Me, I will let his body, deeds,
effects, and aspirations become the possession of the one he associates with
Me, to do with them whatever he wants, for I do not need him!' "
688-
Shaddâd bin Aows, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"Surely repentance washes away a sin committed in ignorance; good deeds
abrogate bad deeds, and when a believing servant remembers his Lord in comfort,
Allah, exalted be His Name, will help him during his trials. This is because
Allah, the most exalted, says, T never grant My servant two safe havens, and I
do not make him suffer two kinds of fear. Should My servant feel at ease with
Me in the world, he will surely be struck with fear and dreadfulness on the day
I gather My creation for judgment, and should he fear Me and revere Me in the
world, I will grant him safety and peace on the Day I assemble My true servants
in paradise, wherein, his sense of safety will embrace him forever, and I will
not cause him to suffer the horrific punishment that will effect those I will
hurl to their eternal demise.'"
Among our
peers and sires, there is also the blessed companion of God's messenger upon
whom be peace, Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him. His experiences
involved grim visitations, and the suffering of awesome trials and
perturbations that affect the heart in the process of its transformation and
development. He observed the sickness of vice and deception of the heart, and
his inquiries focused on the nature of evil, which he shielded himself against,
and furthermore, he pursued what is good and rewarding, which virtues he
solicited avidly.
During his
trials of poverty and scarcity, Huthaifa, God be pleased with him, controlled
his stance with stillness and contentment, he attributed his condition to the
supreme judgment of the divine wisdom, he sought the avenues of repentance and
regret to deepen the soundness of his spiritual conformity, and he patched up
the fissures of his days with devotion and gratitude to his Lord. Such are some
of the distinct attributes of a true spiritual seeker.
Huthaifa Bnul
Yammân, God be pleased with him — patronymed Abu 'Abdullah — spent his life
contemplating upon the magnificent work of the Merciful Lord, and he consented
to His decree without questioning its wisdom. Huthaifa never objected to God's
will, and he willingly accepted his fate in this world, and even when his
trials involved the vicissitude of extreme poverty and privation.
689-
Ahmad bin 'Abdu-Rahmân
al-Saqti narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân was visiting Omar bin al-Khattâb,
God be pleased with both of them. During that visit, Omar asked his guests:
"Who amongst you have heard the prophetic statement of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, referring to the trials of deception, or deceptive attraction
(fitan), that will befall people, and which trials will descend one
after another just like the heaving waves of a heavy storm in the high
seas?" Huthaifa thought that Omar intended him for the answer, and he
said: "I heard it." Omar exclaimed: "Indeed your heart is truly
dedicated to Allah, tell us what you heard !"
Huthaifa, God
be pleased with him, then paraphrased the prophetic tradition, saying:
"These trial will affect the hearts of all people without exception.
Whosoever refutes them, the trials will etch a white spot in his heart, and
whosoever absorbs them and is deceived by them, the trials will etch a black
spot in his heart. Thus, people's hearts will be of two kinds: 1) A kind that
is clear and spotless, and which nothing can affect as long as the heavens and
the earth remain; and, 2) the second heart is one which is dark and opaque and
it looks like a crooked corncob, and it will tilt one's balance and lead him to
his eternal demise on the Day of Judgment." — Huthaifa then tilted the
palm of his right hand to the left, and he further commented: "Such a
twisted heart will not acknowledge what is right, it will not deny what is
wrong, and it will only accept what it already absorbed of rapacity and
wantonness in this world as normal."
Huthaifa, then
turned to Omar, God be pleased with both of them, and said: "The time of
such trials to begin is only held up by a closed door under the unremitting
blows of destiny is almost shattering into pieces."
Omar inquired: "You
mean breaking open?" Huthaifa replied: "Nay, I mean shattered into
small pieces!"
Omar then said:
"Perhaps if it becomes open, someone can close it again!"
Huthaifa replied:
"Nay, it is certain that such a door will shatter into pieces."
Huthaifa further expounded: "This door represents a man who kills the true
prophetic traditions, disallows teaching them, and denies their
authenticity."
690-
'Abdullah bnu Ja'far
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "God's
messenger upon whom be peace, informed us about two major events, one of which
I have witnessed, and the second I am still awaiting. He told us that the
divine trust (amana) descended upon alert, but cautious hearts of men,
nevertheless, it helped them to learn something about the Qur'anic revelation,
and it helped them to learn something from the prophetic traditions (sunna)
as well."
Huthaifa continued:
"God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, then informed us about
the time when the divine trust (amana) will be recalled. He said, 'A man
will go to rest, and while sleeping, a black spot will etch in his heart, and
its stain will stand out as an irremovable black smudge, — just as if you were
to strike out a piece of smoldering coal with your shoe, and how its ashes will
leave an irremovable stain that will overshadow the rest of the shoe.
Similarly, the etched black smudge of such heart will eclipse the balance of
the heart, and when people wake up in the morning, they will not have a single
trustworthy man among them. Furthermore, there will come a time when people
will no longer be evaluated by their piety or faith, and when they praise
someone, they say, 'What a fun and a nice man to be with! What an intelligent
man!' Although of faith, his heart will not possess the weight of a single
grain of wheat.' "
691-
Abi Bakr bin Khalâd
narrated that Nasr bin 'Àsim al-Lïthi, said: "I came to the city of Kufa,
Iraq, and when I entered the mosque, people were sitting in a circle, listening
in awe to a prominent speaker who seemed to have captured everyone's attention.
I asked someone, 'Who is this man?' He replied, 'Huthaifa Bnul Yammân.' I
immediately
sat down, and I heard him say, 'People used to ask God's messenger áfc, upon
whom be peace, about what is good (khair), and I always asked him about
what is evil (sharr), and therefore, I understood that goodness was
still on earth then. I once inquired, 'O messenger of Allah, will there be any
evil after this kind of good?' I asked this question three times, and every
time, God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied, 'O Huthaifa, learn God's
book, and follow its admonitions.' God's messenger further added, 'However,
there will also come an awesome trial of deceptive attractions (fitna).'"1
Huthaifa Bnul
Yammân, God be pleased with him, asked: "O messenger of Allah, what does
the stagnant black cloud represent?" God's messenger upon whom be peace,
replied: "It is a time when the hearts of some nations will no longer be
able to return to what they were! At such an era, an awesome blind, deaf,
innovative, misleading and deceptive trial will take place, — a loud cry from
hell-fire. — At such a time, should you tie yourself up to the trunk of a tree,
or stay put by it, that will be better for you than to follow any of such
men."
692-
Abu Idris al-Khawlâni
narrated that he heard Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased with him, say:
"People used to ask God's messenger upon whom be peace, about what is
good, and I always asked him about what is evil, in fear that it may befall me.
I once said, 'O messenger of Allah, we lived a pagan life in ignorance, and
that was evil (sharr), and then Allah, blessed be His Name, sent us this
blessing (khair); will there be any evil after this?' God's messenger
upon whom be peace, replied, 'Yes there will be evil after this, and it will
come in the form of a stagnant black cloud of smoke.' I asked, 'And what is
that cloud?' He replied, 'People who will pursue other than my traditions (sunna),
and they will instruct others by other than my guidance. Some you will
recognize, and others you don't.' I asked, 'What evil could there be after
that?' God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, replied, 'The rise of the
harbingers of hell-fire, whosoever answers their call, they will seize him and
thrust him in hell.' I asked, 'O messenger of Allah, what
’Abu Dâwoud reported this
prophetic quote as 'A stagnant black cloud'. would you command me to do
should I witness such a time?' God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied,
'Remain close to the Muslim community and to their Imam.' I hasten to inquire,
'And what if the Muslims were divided, or what if they did not have a community
or an Imam?' God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, replied, 'Then forsake all
such groups, and do so solely for Allah's pleasure, and then, it will be better
for you to seek refuge and pray near a stump of a distant tree. Remain there
until death comes and finds you in such a state.' "
693-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "The trial of
deceptive attractions (fitna) will be paraded before all the hearts, and
whoever acquiesces in and yields to it, the trial will etch a black mark in his
heart, and whichever heart refutes it, the trial will etch a white mark
therein. Should one of you desire to know whether he is affected by such trials
of deceptive attractions (fitan) or not, then let him look within
himself to find out, if his hearts is accepting what is unlawful (haram) to
be decent, or if his heart finds what is lawfully just and permissible (halal)
as offensive and unacceptable, then in fact, he is struck by the fitna."
694-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "When a
servant commits a sin, it will etch a black mark in his heart. Such a mark will
grow until it takes over his entire heart and makes him look like a frowning
ashen sheep."
695-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "I swear by Allah
Whom there is no god but He, that when the trials (fitan) befall the
nations, a man wakes up in the morning having his sight, and he goes to sleep
at night having lost it."
696-
In another reference to
the above accounts, Zaid bin Wahab narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be
pleased with him, said: "At first, the trials of deceptive attractions (fitan)
will come in the form of a fog , or a light cloud overshadow your lives, and
have little or no effect on your faith. Then, the second wave of trials will
come to cast you with hot brimstones, causing major shaking of your lives and
faith, and the third wave of such trials will come as an opaque cloud that will
blind the majority of people."
697-
Al-Fadhl bin Müsa
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased with him, said: "There
will come three awesome trials of deceptive attractions (fitan), and the
fourth will drive people straight to the hands of the imposter.[XXXII]
The first trial will come as a light cloud that will cause major droughts, the
next trial will cast people with hot brimstones, and the third trial will cause
major shaking of people's lives and faith, just like the heaving waves of a
giant life threatening storm in the high seas, and finally, the forth trial
will drive people straight to the hand of the imposter."
698-
'Ammâra bin 'Abdullah
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "Beware
of the trials of deceptive attractions (fitan). Do not become their
victim, and when you see them, do not stare at them. I swear by Allah, blessed
be His Name, that should anyone stare at them, and even if it were out of
curiosity, they will destroy him, just as a torrential rain washes away the
newly gathered harvest. When such trials arrive, they will create confusion as
to whether they are the prophesied chain of events or not! Having doubt, the
ignorant person will say, 'Surely this resembles the prophesied cataclysm.'
However, when people see the ramifications and massive destruction caused by
their violent upheaval, they will recognize them as the prophesied trials of
deceptive attractions (fitan). O people, when you see such trials
arriving, gather at your homes, guard your faith, break down your swords, and
wish for death to seize you in-between the intervals of their successive
destructive waves."
699-
In another narration also
dealing with the above trials, Zaid bin Wahab narrated that Huthaifa Bnul
Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "Surely the waves of the trials of
deceptive attractions (fitan) have interim periods of calm, and they
have swift and unexpected destructive strikes. Should one die during the
interim periods of their calm, he would surely be lucky."
700-
Jurair narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "There will come a
time when only those who pray the prayer of a drowning person will escape from
destruction."
701-
Abu 'Amru Bnu Hamdan
narrated that Abu Mas'oud once asked Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with
both of them, he said: "I know that the trials of deceptive attractions (fitan)
have started, would you tell me anything else you heard in their regard?"
Huthaifa replied: "Haven't you witnessed and verified the evidence yet? —
The Book of Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name!"
702-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "Not even the
drunkenness caused by excessive drinking of wine can inebriate or obfuscate the
minds of men more than the trials of deceptive attractions (fitan) will
do!"
703-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased
with him, said: "The trials of deceptive attractions (fitna) are
put in charge of destroying three kinds of people: 1) The learned hot-headed
and arrogant person who whenever he raises a challenge, the sword of destiny
will strike at it and destroy it obdurately; 2) the leader (Imam) who
calls upon such destruction to come; and, 3) the selfproclaimed sire. The
first two kinds of people, the massive destruction will humiliate them, demean
them, throw them to the ground, and mar their faces with mire; and as to the
self-proclaimed sire, the fitna will scatter his possessions to waste,
one blow after another, and until he will have nothing left."
704-
Abu't Tufail narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "O ye people!
Why don't you inquire from me about this religion? Surely people used to take
their questions to God's messenger upon whom be peace. They used to ask him
about what is good and beneficial (khair), and I used to ask him about
what is evil and harmful (sharr). Why don't you ask me about who is a
living dead?"
As the people
hearkened, Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, expounded:
"Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, have sent His messenger
Muhammad upon whom be peace, to call humanity to come out of heedlessness and
to receive the divine guidance. God's messenger ■£=& also asked them to
forsake atheism, to know Allah their only Lord, and to have faith in Him. The
lucky ones accepted his invitation, while others failed. By doing so, one who
is a living dead comes back to life by recognizing the truth (haqtf),
and by rebutting falsehood (bâtil), and one who thinks that he is alive
becomes a living dead by upholding falsehood."
Huthaifa
continued: "The era of prophethood then ended, and it was followed by a
caliphate.system of Islamic polity that asserted and observed the jurisprudence
established by God's messenger upon whom be peace, and after that, there will
come an era of authoritarian monarchism."
"Some
people will ward off falsehood with their hearts, actions, and words, and
hence, they will have embraced the whole truth. Others may reject falsehood
with their hearts and words, although they will do nothing about it, and hence,
they will have abandoned a cardinal branch of what is true and just. A third
group of people will rebut falsehood with their heart only, but they will keep
quiet and do nothing about it, and such group of people will have abandoned two
constitutive branches of what is true and just. Finally, a forth group of
people will not even refute falsehood with neither their hearts nor their
tongues, and this is what is known as a living dead."
705-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "Let Allah be my witness,
that I know one thousand authentic prophetic sayings relating to the commands
of Allah, the most exalted, and to the admonitions of His messenger S¡»,
upon whom be peace, and when you hear them, you will surely love me, follow me,
and believe me. I also know another one thousand authentic prophetic sayings,
and when you hear them, you will hate me, avoid me, and accuse me of
lying."
706-
In another narration of
the above account, reported by 'Amru Bnu Murra that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God
be pleased with him, said: "I can tell you one thousand authentic
prophetic sayings, and when you hear them, you will believe me, follow me, and
support me; and I can also tell you another one thousand authentic prophetic
sayings, but when you hear them, you will accuse me of lying, and you will
avoid me, and insult me, although, Allah is my supreme witness that they are
all true, and that they are truly the words of Allah, blessed be His Name, and
those of His messenger ¿&, upon whom be peace."
707-
Jandab bnu 'Abdillâh, son
of Sufyan, narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said:
"I have knowledge concerning an Imam who will dwell in the heavenly,
paradise, while his followers dwell in hell-fire." Jandab bnu 'Abdillâh
asked: "Wouldn't that be a general statement referring to some of what
you, the companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace, are constantly
warning us about?" Huthaifa replied: "And what do you know about the
facts and deeds of such a person that earned him such a blessed abode?"
708-
Sa'id bin Wahab narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "It is as though
I can perceive a rider who will soon descend upon you, and who will say to you,
'This land is ours, and this money is ours,' and he will deprive the
widows and the poor people from the wealth which Allah, out of His divine
generosity, has conferred upon their forefathers."
709-
'Amru Bnu Murra narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "There are four
kinds of hearts: 1) A veiled heart, and that is the heart of an atheist; 2) a
shielded heart, and that is the heart of a hypocrite; 3) a naked heart holding
a glowing lamp, and that is the heart of a believer; and, 4) a heart filled
with both hypocrisy and faith. The section of faith therein is like that of a
tree which is watered with fresh spring water, and the section of hypocrisy is
like that of a festering boil filled with puss and infected blood. Whichever of
the two abounds and overruns the other at one time or another, the heart will
reflect it."
710-
Ahmad bin Ja'far, son of
Hamdân al-Bagri, narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him,
said: "I once complained to God's messenger upon whom be peace, about
suffering from logorrhea,[XXXIII]
and he replied, 'Why don't you regularly ask for God's forgiveness! I
personally ask Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, blessed be His Name, for
forgiveness one hundred times a day."
711-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "The
best of my days are when I enter my house and find my family hungry and
grousing around some dearth."
712-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yarpman, God be pleased with him, said: "I am
most pleased when my family complains about poverty, for Allah, the most
exalted, blessed be His Name, surely protects the believing servant from the
syndromes of this world just as a concerned family prevents its sick member
from eating certain foods that maybe harmful to his illness."
713-
Attributing the
abovementioned account regarding preventive medicine to God's messenger <§:,
upon whom be peace, Sulaimân bin Ahmad narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God
be pleased with him, used to say: "There isn't a day where I am more
gratified than when I enter my home and find my family hungry, and particularly
when they censure me, saying, 'You do nothing for our sake, whether it is
little or more!' This is because I heard God's messenger ífc, upon whom be
peace, say, 'Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, is more protective
of the believing servant from the illnesses of this world than his own family
when they place their sick person on a restricted diet. On the other hand,
Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, is more assuring to His believing
servant to meet with salutary afflictions in this world than a father wishing
the best benefits and success (khair) for his own born."
714-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammàn once said to Sa'ad, son of Mu'âth
bin Jabal, God be pleased with both of them: "What do you think will
happen to us should we become wealthy in this world?" Sa'ad replied:
"I do not think that our generation will see such a day!" Later on,
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, commented on Sa'ad's reply:
"He was accorded what he anticipated, and I was given according to my
expectation."
715-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that when Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, first came to
Madâ'in, he arrived riding on a donkey, and he had little or no provisions. In
fact, Huthaifa held a loaf of bread in one hand, and some distilled water in a
carafe made of leather in the other hand, and he was - eating while riding on
his donkey."
716-
Sulaiman bin Ahmad
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "Beware
not to find yourselves standing by the gate of deceptive attractions (fitan)V'
Someone inquired: "O Abu 'Abdullah, what is the gate of deceptive
attractions?" Huthaifa replied: "That is the threshold of government
officials, and that is when one of you seeks a government official, and in the
process of hoping to earn some meager gains, he lies to him, soliciting the
attention of his rank and authority, and pretending to be telling the truth.
This is the threshold of deceptive attractions."
717-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, re Zaid bin Wahab, that a man came to
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, and said: "Ask Allah on my
behalf to forgive me my sins!" Huthaifa replied: "I will not ask
Allah to forgive you your sins." Huthaifa then turned to his companions
and said: "Should I solicit Allah's forgiveness for this man's sins, he
will then say on the Day of Reckoning, 'Huthaifa had interceded before Allah,
the most exalted, to forgive me my sins!' And then, he may be told, 'Would you
like Allah to place you where Huthaifa is placed?' "
Huthaifa then prayed:
"O Allah, my Lord, I beseech Your divine generosity to grant this man to
dwell wherë Huthaifa will dwell in Your mercy."
718-
Rab'i bnu Khirâsh
narrated that he heard Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, say at
his deathbed: "O my Lord help me. One day I thought that when my death
comes, my assurance will not be shaken. But today my Lord, my mind is moved by
mixed specters,[XXXIV]
unknown to me, and I do not know what final repercussions will they have on
me!"
719-
Müsa bin 'Abdullah bin
Yazid narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammàn, God be pleased with him, once said:
"At times, I wish I had someone to handle my business and to take care of
my family, and then, I would have closed my doors, and stayed indoor until the
day when I meet Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory,"
720-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yamman,
God be pleased with him, once said: "One of the best conditions in which
Allah loves to see his servant, is when He sees his face covered with
dust."[XXXV]
721-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased with him, once said:
"The most I fear for this nation of believers (umma), is that they
give preference to what they see over what they know, and to step into
heedlessness without realizing it."
722-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased with him, used to say: "The best
among you are not those who renounce the comfort of the world for the sake of
that of the hereafter, nor those who relinquish the comfort of the hereafter
for the sake of that of this world, rather the best among you are those who
take a share of comfort from each one of them."
723-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated, re Huthaifa Bnul Yamman, God be pleased with him, that God's
messenger O», upon whom be peace, said: "On the Day of Judgment,
people will be gathered in one plane, and not a single soul will utter a word.
The first to be called is Muhammad ££, upon whom be peace. He will reply, 'Here
I am to serve Thy command, and I am surely bound by Thy favors, my Lord.
Indeed, all what is good is Thy endowment, and evil has no rise nor
appurtenance in Thine presence. Lord, surely there is no refuge nor escape from
Thee but to Thee. Blessed and most exalted Thou art, Lord of the most blessed
House."
"This is
the meaning of the verse: 4 Soon will your Lord raise you to a station of
praise and glory. > (Qur'an 17:79)
724-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân narrated
that someone asked Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him: "Did the
Children of Israel altogether depart from their religion in one day?"
Huthaifa replied: "No, but whenever they were commanded to do something
they abstained and whenever they were barred from doing something, they sought
it. They did so invariably until they were striped off their religion, just as
when a man takes the shirt off his shoulders."
725-
'Abdullah bin Saydân
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said:
"Allah's wrath will surely descend upon those among you who do not
exercise what we were ordered to practice. I swear by Allah, blessed be His
Name, that either you engage in enjoining what is good and beneficial, and
advise against what is wrong and evil, or you will be struck with internal
wars, whereby, your evil ones will rise over your better ones, and they will
kill them one after the other, and until there will not remain among you a
single good person who enjoins what is good or forbid what is evil., At such an
austere time when you pray to Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, for help,
and He will not answer your prayers, out of despise and repudiation for your
contemptible attitudes."
726-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Abi-r-Raqqâd said: "I was a young
boy when my employer started taking me to the mosque, and he ordered me to sit
down and to listen to the admonitions of Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased
with him. On that day, I heard Huthaifa say, 'During the time of God's
messenger upon whom be peace, a man may have said a word that turned him into a
hypocrite, and even today, I can still hear such an expression from one of you,
in the way he poses a question, and then he repeats it in various forms, and up
to four times in one setting. Here me ye, it is either you obey God's command,
to enjoin what is good, to forbid what is evil, and to spread the good news, or
you will have to meet with the wrath of Allah, blessed be His Name, where you
will be wiped out altogether with a horrid punishment, or He may order your
evil ones to rise and to have the upper hand over you, and at such terrifying
times, even the prayers of your better ones, asking for His help will not be
accepted.' "
727-
'Abdul Malik bin Maisara
narrated that al-Nazzâl bin Sabra said: "We were at the house of Huthaifa,
when 'Uthmân came and asked him, 'O Abu 'Abdullah, what is this forewarning I
heard that you have admonished the people with. Did you truly say that?'
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, replied, 'No, I did not!'
'Uthmân then said, 'I knew that you are their most truthful, and their most
true to his Lord.'
Later on, when
'Uthmân left, al-Nazzâl bin Sabra turned to Huthaifa and said, 'O Abu
'Abdullâh, did we not hear you say what you said?' Huthaifa replied, 'Yes,
indeed you heard it right.' "
Nazzâl bin
Sabra then said to his visiting companions: "Indeed, he did say it, and
yet, in order to avoid alarming those who may disapprove such knowledge, he
withheld having said it. Perhaps he wanted to mix his deeds between the common
and the uncommon, and maybe he thought that should he propound what he knew
then, it would brook opposition and panic among some people, and by doing so,
he feared to lose his stand of servitude and trueness to his Lord."
728-
'Amru bnu Murra narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "In due time,
you will live an era, wherein, the best among you will refrain from enjoining
what is good or forbidding what is evil."[XXXVI]
729-
Habib Bnu Abi Thâbit
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "You
may mix with both, the belieyers and the atheists, however, do not bring up the
subject of religion in your conversations with the unbelievers."
730-
Muhammad bin Ishâq narrated
that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "The era of
religious hypocrisy (nifâq) has gone away for now, and therefore, there
is no more religious hypocrisy today. What you see for now is the spread of
atheism (kufur) after faith (imán)."
731-
'Abdullâh bnu Ja'far
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "The
hypocrites are more evil today than they were at the time of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, for then, they used to hide their stance, and now, they are
audaciously egregious about it."
732-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, once asked a man: "Would
you like to kill the most immoral and profligate person in this world?"
The man replied: "Indeed!" Huthaifa said: "If you do, then you
will be even more iniquitous than him!"
733-
'Amru Bnu Marzouq
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "I
swear by Allah the most exalted that whenever a man distances himself from the
Muslim community for even a span of one's hand, he would have forsaken Islam in
its entirety."
734-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "O readers of the
Qur'an, O teachers of the Qur'an! Adhere to the path (tarïq), and if you
do, you will attain a much higher success, but if you don't, and instead you
wander right or left, you would have embarked on the furthést and most erring
course."
735-
Abi Salâma narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "There will come a
time when you will be governed by princes who will not be worth the weight of
single flake of a grain of barley on the Day of Judgment, in the sight of
Allah, blessed be His Name."
736-
'Abdullâh, son of Imam
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Ubai 'Abdu-Rahmân al-Salmi
said: "I was in Madâ'in, and one day I went with my father to the Friday
congregational prayers. The central mosque was about one parasang[XXXVII]
from our home, and at that time, Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased
with him, was the deputy (wàli) of the caliph in Madâ'in.
When Huthaifa rose on the
pulpit to give the Friday sermon, he commenced by praising Allah, blessed be
His Name, and by glorifying His attributes, and later on, in the course of his khutba
(sermon), he said, 'Surely, the final hour has drawn near, and the moon has
cleaven by God's leave. Surely this world has evinced the final signs of its
conclusion. Indeed, today is the field of sowing the seeds of success, and
tomorrow is the fast coming day for harvesting the reward of the forerunners.'
"
Ubai then
added: "I asked my father, 'What does he mean by the forerunners (Arb. sabiqün)?'
He replied, 'The ones who will win the heavenly paradise.' "
737-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, once delivered the
Friday sermon in the central mosque of Madâ'in, where he said: "O People!
Look into the source of revenues your workers collect. Find out if they are
lawful, then bring them in, otherwise, disallow them, for I have heard God's
messenger upon whom be peace, say, 'It is not possible for a flesh that grows
on ill-gotten gains to enter the heavenly paradise.' "
738-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased
with him, said: "The sin of the one who sells wine is equal to the sin of
the one who drinks it, and the sin of the one who sells pork is equal to the
sin of the one who eats it. Therefore, inquire as to where from do your workers
collect your revenues, for it is not possible for a flesh that grows on ill-gotten
gains to enter the heavenly paradise."
739-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said: "To fear and revere
Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, is the least of knowledge, but the least
an untruthful person can do upon telling a lie, is to ask for Allah's
forgiveness, even though he may return to lying."
740-
'Akrama bin 'Ammâr
narrated that 'Abdul 'Aziz, a nephew of Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased
with him, said: "I personally heard it from Huthaifa, about forty five
years ago, when he said, ' Absénce of fear and reverence for Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, will be the first loss in your religious observances, and
foregoing the prescribed regular prayers (sa/ât) will subsequently be the final
loss in your religious observances.'"
741-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Abu Yahya asked Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him: "Who is a
hypocrite?" Huthaifa replied: "A hypocrite is one who can describe
what is Islam, although he does not practice it!"
742-
Ziyad Mawla Ibn 'Abbas,
narrated that Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, said when he was
on his deathbed: "I would not speak had I not known that today is my last
day in this world and my inaugural day in the hereafter. My Lord, You know that
I preferred poverty over richness, meekness over honor, and death over life in
this world. Indeed, a beloved has arrived on a day when the heart has much
longing for him. So horrific is the loss of those who bring nothing but regret
to this sure encounter."
Ziyad added:
"Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, died on that same
day."
743-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin
al-'Abbas narrated that when Huthaifa Bnul Yammân, God be pleased with him, was
near his death, he said: "A beloved has arrived on a day when the heart
has great deal of longing for him. Perdition is surely the share of those who
bring nothing but regret for this sure encounter." Huthaifa then added:
"I praise Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, Who, by taking me
back unto Him today, is sparing me the sure coming encounter with the
calamitous trials of deception (fitan) that will soon befall the entire
world. I am most grateful to Him for taking me back without having to meet its
leaders and thugs."
744-
Khâlid bin al-Rabf
al-'Absi said: "We came to see Huthaifa in Madâ'in the day he died, and it
was dark when we arrived. Near his death, and when he became heavy, Huthaifa
asked: "What time is it?" We replied: "It is late at
night." Huthaifa said: "I seek refuge in Allah, blessed be His Name,
from a morning that leads to hellfire." Huthaifa then turned to the
people and asked: "Did you bring a shroud with you?" They replied:
"We did." He then said: "Be not exorbitant in what you shroud me
with. Should your departing friend be of any worth in the sight of his Lord,
then Allah, blessed be His Name, will replace his shroud with what is better.
Otherwise, should one be shrouded in what exceeds the indispensable, he will be
stripped of it shortly after he dies." !
745-
Also in another narration
of the above account, Abu Hâmed bin Jabla narrated: "Huthaifa was leaning
on Abi Mas'oud's shoulder when he saw someone bringing a new shroud. He-said:
"Why would you shroud your friend in this new fabric? Surely should your
friend be of any worth, then Allah, the most exalted, blessed be His Name, will
replace it with what is better. Otherwise, should he be unfitting to wear such
excess, his shroud will writhe him contortedly between the two walls of his
grave, and it will throw him perpetually from one side of his grave to the
other, from the time he is buried, and until the Day of Resurrection."
746-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Silla bin Zafar said: "Huthaifa, God be pleased with him,
sent me along with Abu Mas'oud to purchase a shroud for his burial. Hence, we
went out and we bought him a complete vestment of the finest quality of cotton
available, a fabric commonly used for turbans, and we paid three hundred
dirhams for it. When we returned to his house, Huthaifa asked, 'Show me what
you bought!' And when he saw it, he said, 'This is not a shroud for a man like
me! It will be sufficient for me if you would use two white bed sheets, and
without a shirt for a shroud, for it will not be long before they will be
replaced with either a better raiment or a meaner one.'
Immediately,
Silla bin Zafar and Abu Mas'oud returned to the market, and they bought him
what he asked for."
747-
Silla bin Zafar narrated
that Huthaifa, God be pleased with him, said: "Learn how to exercise
patience, for your turn of trials has drawn near. However, no matter how much
difficulties you meet, they cannot measure to the awesome adversities we
experienced at the dawn of Islam alongside God's messenger upon whom be
peace."
748-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
narrated that Huthaifa, God be pleased with him, said: "There is reckoning
in the grave and another reckoning on the Day of Resurrection, and whosoever is
brought before Almighty Allah for the questioning of the Day of Judgment will
suffer."
39-
'Abdullàh Bnu 'Amru Bnul 'Âss
Here is
another example of a pious believer who observed high- minded morality, he
fasted most of the days of his life, stood up in supererogatory prayers most of
the nights, arid he read the glorious Qur'an with utmost reverence for Allah,
blessed is His Name, Who revealed it; this is the humble and beloved companion
of God's messenger upon whom be peace, this is 'Abdullah Bnu 'Amru Bnul 'Âss,
God be pleased with him. He spoke the truth, shunned falsehood, occupied
himself in his work seriously, and he forsook vain talk. 'Abdullah Bnu 'Amru
Bnul 'Âss was a generous host, he fed the poor, he was first to initiate the
greeting when he met someone, and his speech was filled with utmost sagacity,
sweetness, and sapience.
It is said
that spirituality also involves embracing the character of the righteous, and
to honor the genuineness of one's commitments.
749-
On this subject, Sa'ïd
Bnul Musayyib narrated that 'Abdullah Bnu 'Amru Bnul 'Âss, once said:
"Someone brought it to the attention of God's messenger upon whom be
peace, that I had made a vow to fast for the rest of my days, and to pray all
my nights as long as I lived in this world. One day, when God's messenger saw
me, he said to me, 'Did you vow to fast for the rest your days, and to pray all
the nights as long as you live?' I replied, "Indeed, and I beg for your
permission, for surely you are more dear to me than my own father and mother!'
God's messenger í£, upon whom be peace, then said, 'There may come a time when
perhaps it will be too hard for you to bear up this commitment.'
750-
Also in reference to the
subject of upholding one's commitment, Muhammad bnu 'Amru bnu 'Alqama narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said: "One
day, God's messenger upon whom be peace, came to my house, and he said to me,
'O 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr, it came to my attention that you have imposed upon
yourself to observe a perpetual night vigil in prayers, and to fast for the
remainder of your days. Surely such a commitment is a self-imposed devotion
which is uncalled for.' I replied, 'But I can do it, O messenger of Allah, and
I find no hardship in doing so!' God's messenger upon whom be peace, then said,
'It will be deemed sufficient if you would only fast three days per week.'
"
'Abdullah bnu 'Amr continued: "I became more
obdurate and inflexible in my obstinacy, but on the other hand, God's messenger
upon whom be peace, also became more firm in his instruction, and when I added,
'O messenger of Allah, I truly find the needed strength in me to do so!' He
then said: 'O 'Abdullah, your eyes have rights upon you, your guests have
rights upon you, and also your wife has rights upon you.' "
751-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Abi Salma once asked 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased
with him: "Tell me about the day when God's messenger upon whom be peace,
came to see you, and what he said to you regarding your extraordinary fasting
commitment and outstanding inordinate) prayers!" 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul
'Âss replied: "He came in and said, 'O 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr, is what I heard
true? Did you imposed upon yourself the observance of a perpetual night vigil
in prayers, and to fast for the balance of your days in this life?' I replied,
'Indeed, I do that O messenger of Allah.' God's messenger S’ then said, 'It is
sufficient to fast three days per month, and the reward of that will be equal
to the benefit of fasting all year around.' "
'Abdullah bnu
'Amr continued: "I became argumentative and more obdurate and inflexible
in my obstinacy, and God's messenger S, upon whom be peace, further became more
firm in his instruction, and when I said, 'O messenger of Allah, I truly find
strength to do so!' He then said: 'The most balanced fasting in the sight of
Allah is the fasting of David, upon whom be peace.' "
'Abdullah bnu 'Amr
further continued: "And now that I have
reached old
age, my body became frail, and I recognize that indeed
I did tax my
family and interests by being stubborn. I wish I had accepted the dispensation
of my vow as suggested by God's messenger upon whom be peace, and that was to
fast three days
per month only."
752-
Abi Salma bnu
'Abdu-Rahmàn also paraphrased the above account, re 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul
'Âss, God be pleased with him, who quoted God's messenger S, upon whom be
peace, to have said: "Why wouldn't you then fast the fasting of David,
upon whom be peace! He fasted one day, and he broke his fast the next
day." 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr again argued: "O messenger of Allah, I
surely find strength in me to do more than that!" God's messenger upon
whom be peace, then said: "Perhaps should you live a long life, your body
will become weaker, and such a lifetime commitment may become a burden on you,
think about it!"
753-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said:
"When I memorized the entire Qur'an by heart, I read all of it in one
night, and when God's messenger upon whom be peace, heard that, he said to me,
'As time goes, I am afraid that such avid reading of the Qur'ah today may
become tedious, and it could cause you to feel weariness towards it.' God's
messenger further suggested, 'Read it once in the course of each month.' "
'Abdullah bnu
'Amr replied: "O messenger of Allah, allow me to enjoy my strength and
youth as long as I have them!" God's messenger replied: "Then read it
once in the course of each twenty days," but 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr further
argued: "O messenger of Allah, please allow me to enjoy my strength and
youth!" However, God's messenger upon whom be peace, disapproved.
754-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Râfi'
narrated that when 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Àss, God be pleased with him,
became old, and reading the entire Qur'an once a day became ponderous,
demanding, and wearisome, he said: "When I memorized the entire Qur'an by heart,
I went to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and said, 'O messenger of Allah,
I have memorized the entire Qur'an by heart. Please enjoin upon me the
requirement of reading it regularly.' God's messenger upon whom be peace,
replied, 'Read, it in the course of one month, (i.e., one juzu' per
day).' I said, T do feel stronger than that!' God's messenger $ then said,
'Read it twice in the course of each month,' but again I said, 'I surely feel
stronger than that!' God's messenger again said, 'Then read it in the course of
six days period.' I answered, 'But I feel stronger than that!' He again said,
'Then read it in the course of three days period,' and again I argued, T
certainly feel stronger than that!' "
God's
messenger upon whom be peace, disliked this type of debating, and he said:
"Then rise and go to your reading."
755-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Àss, God be
pleased with him, said: "My father chose a wife for me from a noble family
from the Tribe of Quraish. When my wife entered my house, I avoided necking
with her, and because of the spiritual comfort I deemed myself in need of, and
which I felt attainable only through constant devotion, fasting, and prayers, I
thus remained withdrawn."
"One day,
my father, 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, came to visit his daughter in-law, and he asked her,
'How do. you find your husband?' My wife replied, 'Surely he is the best of
men. He never seeks our bosom nor does he ever near our bed.' My father became
extremely upset, and he affronted me, and he was rough with his words, as he
said to me, T gave you a wife whom I have chosen for you from one of the most
noble families of Quraish, and surely you have delimited her spirit, and
restricted her rights, and you did this and that ...'"
"My
father then went to God's messenger éfc, upon whom be peace, and he reported me
to him. Later on, God's messenger called for me, and when I arrived, he asked
me, 'Do you regularly fast during the day?' I replied in the affirmative. He
further asked, 'Do you invariably stand up in prayers at night?' I replied, T
do.' God's messenger éfc, upon whom be peace, then said, 'But I also fast, and
I also break my fast, and I pray at night as well, and yet, I also take rest,
and I also have intimate moments with my wife, therefore, whosoever feels
disinclined to my sunna (traditions), he is not one of my followers.'
"
"God's
messenger upon whom be peace, then turned to me and said, "Read the Qur'an
in the course of one month.' I replied, T find my self stronger than that!' He
then said, 'Then read it in the course of ten days at a time.' I replied, 'But
I do find my self stronger than that!' God's messenger ¿fc suggested, 'Then
read it in the course of three days!' - And thus, he kept on reasoning with me,
until he said, 'You may fast one day, and then break your fast the next day,
for that is the best criterion of fasting, and such was the fasting tradition
of my brother David, peace be upon him.' "
756-
Husayn commented in
reference to the above prophetic tradition, saying: "Every worshiper will
undergo a temporary passion, and at times, such ardor may become excessive.
However, sometimes, it can last for as long as one year, or otherwise, if it
goes beyond that, it becomes innovation. Therefore, one whose inclinations and
fervor last for up to, and no longer than one year, then he is surely well
guided. Otherwise, if they last longer than that, then they could lead him to
his demise."
757-
Mujahid also spoke
apropos of the this subject, he said: "When 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss,
God be pleased with both of them, became old, his body became frail, and his
strength debilitated, and he was only able to fast few days at a time, and then
he would break his fast for few days as well. 'Abdullah continued to maintain his
regular reading taskwork (hizb). of the entire Qur'an, although, he took
his time in doing so. Sometimes he would read it in the course of three days,
or even in the course of seven days, and he was less stringent regarding
maintaining a rigorous standard of his performance. 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul
'Âss, God be pleased with him and with his father, also used to say, 'To have
accepted the dispensation of my vow as suggested by God's messenger upon whom
be peace, would have been more dear to my heart today than my persistence
regarding my personal feelings then. I wish I did not have to disagree with him
concerning this matter, and by finally complying with his suggestion at this
age, I hope that I will not have dissented on anything else.'"
758-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Wâhib bin 'Abdullah, son of 'Abdullah
bnu 'Amr, said: "I saw myself in a dream licking my fingers, and it was as
though one finger was coated with ghee, and the other was coated with honey. In
the morning, I related my dream to God's messenger upon whom be peace, who
interpreted my dream, saying, 'You will study the two books, the Torah and the
Qur'an.'
Imam Ahmad bin
Hanbal, God be pleased with him, added that 'later on in his life, Wâhib bin
'Abdullah grew up to be most learned and insightful in both revelations.'
759-
'Abdu-Rahmân al-Hubali
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased wi/h him, said:
"To do a good deed today is twice more pleasing to me than it was when we
lived with God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace. That is because, when we
were with God's messenger upon whom be peace, we focused solely on the
hereafter, and we gave no regards to this world, and lately, the balance of
deceptive attractions in this world have tilted people's focus adversely and
affected many of us."
760-
Abu Bakr Ibn Khallâd
narrated, re 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, that a man
once asked God's messenger upon whom be peace: "What is considered as best
of deeds in the way of Islam (submission to Allah)?" God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, replied: "To share your food, and to salute those you know and
those you do not know with the greeting of peace, (As-Salâmu
'Alaikum)."
761-
'Atâ bin al-Sâ'ib
narrated, re 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, that God's
messenger ££, upon whom be peace, said: "Worship the merciful Lord, give
the regards of peace, and feed the hungry, and thus you will be let into
paradise."
762-
'Amru Bnu Shu'aib
narrated that his grandfather 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with
him, said: "I once sat in a gathering with God's messenger upon whom be
peace, and on that day, I felt a bliss I never felt before in my life, and I
never delighted or felt a similar gratification since that day."
763-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated that 'Amru bnu Shu'aib said: "I went with 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr to
God's House, and as soon as we reached behind the Ka'ba, I said to him,
'Wouldn't you seek refuge in Almighty Allah from hell-fire?' 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr
immediately prayed, T seek refuge in Allah, the Lord of the Ka'ba against
hell-fire.' 'Abdullah then went to the Cornerstone (hajar), and after
holding it for a moment, he stood in-between that corner and the gate of the
Ka'ba, whereat, he placed his chest and face and spread his arms open against
that wall for a short while in utter submission. Later on, he said to me, T
once saw God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, do that.' "
764-
Bishr bnu Müsa narrated
that Hussain bnu Shafiy said: "We were once sitting with 'Abdullah bnu
'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, discussing our religion when Tubai'
arrived, and seeing him,, 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr immediately exclaimed, 'Here comes
the best of experts on this subject in the land today.' 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr then
asked Tubai', 'Tell us about the three greatest blessings a human being can
have, and the three most evil things he must avoid!' Tubai' replied, 'Indeed.
The three greatest blessings are: 1) A truthful tongue; 2) a God-fearing heart;
and, 3) a pious wife; and the three most evil things to acquire are, 1) A lying
tongue; 2) a dissolute heart; and, 3) a wicked wife.' 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr then
turned to his guests and said, 'Didn't I tell you that!'"
765-
Ubai 'Abdu-Rahmân
al-Hubali narrated that 'Abdullah bnu *Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him,
once said: "To be one of the last ten poor believers to enter paradise on
the Day of Judgment is more pleasing to me than to be one of the last ten rich
believers then, for the blessed majority on that day is the assembly of the poorest
in this world, except for a rich person who freely gives away charity right and
left." (Also narrated by al-Laith)
766-
Al-Laith bnu Sa'ad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said:
"Paradise is forbidden to any lewd and shameless person."
767-
Muhammad bin Ahmad bin
al-Hassan narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him,
said: "Whosoever offers a Muslim a drink of water, Allah, blessed be His
Name, will distance him as far from hell-fire as a great stride of a leaping
racing horse."
768-
Sulaimân bin al-Mughira
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said:
"There was a time when people used to say, 'Walk away from what you can do
nothing about, remain silent regarding what is not of your concern, and
conserve your words the same way you keep away your savings.'"
769-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said: "It was
revealed through the Nâmous, (the Holy Spirit) which came upon God's
prophet Moses, upon whom be peace, that Allah, the most Exalted, abominates
three types of people among His creation: 1) One that sows discord among
brethren; 2) one who is swift in drumming up mischief; and 3) one who hunts for
someone living in peace, and finds a way to cause him trouble and
distress."
1 Arb. farsakh,
about three and one half miles distance.
770-
Khalid bin Yazïd narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said: "It is
written in the Torah that engaging in a business can develop profligacy and
immorality, and that the schemer will fall into the pit which he digs for his
brother."
771-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ld
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said:
"Iblis, the first accursed Satan, is presently shackled at the deepest
layer of the earth, whenever he makes a moves, it fuels evil and sows
dissension between two people or more."
772-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be
pleased with him, said: "If you only knew what I know, you would laugh
little and cry a lot. Moreover, if you had really understood the truth, you
would cry so loud continually until your vocal cords break down, and you would
prostrate yourselves for a long lasting prostration, until your spinal column
bends and then stiffens into one piece."
773-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Ja'far bin Abi 'Omrân said: "We
learned that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, once
noticed himself hearing the hissing sound of fire in his house, and
contemplating upon it, he exclaimed, 'Ooh, Ooh!' 'Abdullah then heard a voice
saying, 'O son of 'Amr, this is not it!'
Commenting on
his experience, 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, said, 'I
swear by Him Who controls the destiny of my soul, that this earthly little fire
was beseeching its Lord for itiercy, in fear of ever returning to gehennam,
the grand fire of hell!'"
774-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, that a man
once came to him to solicit an endowment, and he said: "Aren't we
considered party to the poor Meccan immigrants?"
'Abdullah bnu
'Amr replied: "Do you have a wife with whom you confide?" "I
do!" The man replied.
'Abdullah bnu
'Amr further asked the man: "Do you have a house where you can retire at
night?" "I do!" The man answered.
'Abdullah bnu
'Amr then commented: "Then you are not considered a party of the poor
Meccan muhajireen (immigrants). However, if you want, we will give you
something, or if you want, we will mention your needs to the governor in
charge!"
The man then
said: "Do nothing! God willing, we will endure with patience, and we will
ask for nothing!"
775-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Ass, God be
pleased with him, once spoke to a gathering of believers, where he said:
"You will be gathered on the Day of Reckoning, and a call will come,
'Where are the poor and the meek of this Umma (nation of followers of
God's messenger upon whom be peace)?' When they all come forth, they will be
asked, 'What do you bring with you?' They will reply, 'Our Lord, we were
subjected to all kinds of miseries and trials in the world, and by Thy grace,
we endured that with patience. Thou already know all of that, and Thou have put
others in charge of managing wealth and authority!' Then it will be said to
them, 'You spoke the truth.' "
"Hence,
they will be let into the heavenly paradise, and that is a long time before the
rest of those who are also destined to enter it,[XXXVIII]
while the exact, critical and demanding accountability, remains the lot of
those who occupied a seat of command and presided over others and who had money
in this world."
776-
Khalid bin Sa'dân
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Ass, God be pleased with him, said:
"Paradise is enwrapped, and it is suspended by the horns of the sun. Once
a year, paradise is spread open, and the souls of the believers wing freely
inside it, carried by starling-like green birds. They know one another, and
together, they enjoy the fruits of paradise."
777-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah used to often close his doors
for an extended period of time, and he used to with great chagrin in private
until eventually his sight was affected by his grief and sorrow. As a result of
his excessive crying, 'Abdullah developed serious inflammation of the eyes, and
consequently, the mother of Ya'lâ Ibn 'Atâ' used to make a special mixture of
kohl for 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Ass to treat his eyes.
Ya'lâ Ibn
'Ata' said: "My mother used to regularly make him a special ointment mixed
which she with Kohl to treat his eyes."
778-
'Amru Bnu Nâfi' narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss, God be pleased with him, once passed by a
man resting after the fajr dawn prayers, and he woke him up, saying:
"Didn't you know that Allah looks upon His creation at this hour, and that
out of His mercy, He lets into paradise three types of people who otherwise
would be destined to enter hell-fire!" (Also narrated by al-Muqrï)
779-
Ya'qoub bin 'Âsim
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss. God be pleased with him, once said:
"Whoever is asked to give something in charity in the Name of Allah, and
if he obliges,
( will be rewarded
seventy fold."
780-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that Sulaimân bin Rabi'a once went on a pilgrimage from Basra, Iraq,
to Mecca in a caravan of Qur'an readers and the caravan was led by Mu'âwiya. In
their company also traveled al-Muntasir bin al-Harith. When they completed
their pilgrimage, they all decided not to return to Basra until they had met
one of the companions (sahaba) of God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, and hear an authentic prophetic admonition. Hence, they inquired
everywhere, and finally someone told them that 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss,
God be pleased with him, had a house somewhere near the edge of the city of
Mecca.
When the pilgrims
arrived at that locality, they noticed a large convoy of three hundred camels,
consisting of one hundred camels saddled and ready for a journey, and the other
two hundred were loaded with goods. They inquired: "Who do these camels
belong to?"
"They belong
to 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss." The Meccan residents accompanying them
replied. The pilgrims commented: "We were told that he lived a most modest
life!" The Meccans replied: "This is true, but 'Abdullah keeps one
hundred camels to help his local brothers of the region when they need them
most, and the other two hundred camels, he maintains at all times to supply the
needs of his visitors from distant lands, and to serve his local guests."
The pilgrims
received that comment with great astonishment. Seeing that, the Meccans further
said: "Do not be astonished, for 'Abdullah bnu 'Amr Bnul 'Âss is indeed a
very rich man, but he deems that his guests have the foremost rights upon him,
including the right to be supplied with the needed provision upon traveling
back to their homeland."
The pilgrims
immediately asked: "Point him to us!" The Meccans replied: "His
is not at home right now, but you may find him praying at the sacred
mosque."
Sulaimân bin
Rabi'a continued: "Hence, we went back to the Ka'ba, and we found him
sitting in prayers near the edge of the mosque. He was a short man, his sight
was partially dimmed by cataract, he wore a turban and a simple mantle over his
robe, and he had his sandals tied-up to his left shoulder."
40-
'Abdullâh Bin Omar Bin al-Khattàb
Among our
peers there also lived a remarkable pious man, and a most blessed companions of
God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace. He led a humble and a pious life,
and he was disinterested in leadership, as well as he was indifferent to
earthly ranks. His name is 'Abdullah, the son of Omar bin al-Khattab, God be
pleased with both of them.
'Abdullah bnu
Omar was a steadfast, persevering, and a sincere seeker of the nearness of his
Lord. He demanded from himself the highest level of devotion, and he observed
the most exalted virtues one would expect from the witnesses of God's
revelation, the blessed companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace.
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, was a beacon of piety, and he
lived a devout religious life, wholly engaged in worshipping God Almighty,
blessed be His Name.
'Abdullah bnu
Omar stayed up long nights in devotion, praying, celebrating the praises of God
Almighty, reading the Qur'an, and contemplating its miracle. He sought and
emulated the most exalted character of faith and truth witnessed by humanity,
the sublime model of God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace. He hearkened
to him wholeheartedly, and he received with great sincerity every word of his
admonitions and guidance, as well as he earned the blessings they carried with
them.
'Abdullah bnu
Omar, God be pleased with him, was often seen worshipping at mosques, and he
mostly resided in their vicinage. When he needed a short rest, he often laid on
an uneven gravely grounds, unconcerned with his personal comfort. He considered
himself a stranger in this world, and he correctly perceived the hindmost
advent of the hereafter as very near. He always solicited and prayed for God's
forgiveness, and he incessantly invoked His zikr (remembrance).
It is said
that spiritual attainment is also dependent on one's fear of falling in the
trap of presumption, arrogance, and haughtiness, and it is the fruit of one's
sincere solicitation of the true and exalted seat of nearness to his Lord.
781-
On this subject, Muhammad
bin Ishâq narrated that Nâfi' once saw 'Abdullah bin Omar enter the mosque to
pray, and in his prostration, Nâfi' heard 'Abdullah pray: "Lord, You know
well that nothing except my fear of You that prevents me from vying with the
people of Quraish in striving to win stature and wealth in this world."
782-
Abu Hârith bin Jabla
narrated that when people came to 'Abdullah bnu Omar to offer him the khilâfa
(vice regency) of the Muslim caliphate after the murder of his father, Omar bin
al- Khattâb, God be pleased with him, 'Abdullah bnu Omar replied: "I swear
by Allah that this is not what I hoped for. However, if you happen to call me
to prayers, I will come, if you call me to harvest success, I will join you,
but if you are divided, I will disagree with you, and yet, when you become
united again, I will support you wholeheartedly and never leave you as long as
you are united in Allah."
783-
Al-A'amash narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "The best young man in the whole Tribe of
Quraish who has faithfully guarded his dignity, integrity, and chastity, and
who was able to protect himself against the deceptive attractions (fitan)
of this world, is 'Abdullah bnu Omar."
784-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Jabir, God be pleased with him, said:
"I have not met anyone who was not affected by the deceptive attractions
of this world except for 'Abdullah bnu Omar, since the passing of God's
messenger áfc, upon whom be peace."
785-
Nafi', the attending
companion of 'Abdullah bnu Omar, said: "Whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar found
himself attached to something he owned, he immediately gave it away in charity
for the pleasure of Allah, the Lord of Majesty and glory, blessed be His
Name."
786-
Muhammad bin Ishaq
narrated that Nafi' said: "The bondsmen of 'Abdullah bnu Omar knew of his
soft spot. One day, some of them took permission for a spiritual retreat in the
mosque, and when 'Abdullah bnu Omar saw them inclined to their devotion, he immediately
released them from bondage. Some friends of 'Abdullah bnu Omar witnessed that
event and they turned to him and said, 'O Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân, they are pretending
to be so religiously devoted only to take advantage of your good heart!'
'Abdullah bnu Omar replied quietly, 'Whosoever assumes a spiritual character
under the cover of Allah to trick us, we will lower our wings for the sake of
Allah, and we will pretend to be fooled by his presumption.' "
787-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Nafi' said: "One evening, we went along with 'Abdullah bnu
Omar, riding on our horses, and he rode one of his most cherished highbred
possessions which he had bought for a large some of money. As we went on
riding, and as soon as 'Abdullah bnu Omar felt some vainness about the distinction
and worth of his noble bred horse, he drove it to the side of the road,
dismounted it, and said to me, 'Take off its bridle and saddle, place a blanket
over its back, and keep this horse in the stable for now.' "
788-
Abu'l 'Abbas al-Thaqfi
narrated that Nafi' said: "On another occasion, 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, was riding his camel, and when he felt some attachment to his
possession, he immediately become upset with himself, as he muttered, 'Phew,
phew!' 'Abdullah then made his camel kneel down, he dismounted it, and he said
to me, 'O Nafi', put down its saddle!' I immediately understood that he felt a
misgiving regarding something! I dismounted the saddle, and I said to him, T
beg you to sell it and to buy something else instead!' But he immediately
offered the camel in charity.' In fact, this was the nature of 'Abdullah bnu
Omar, God be pleased with him, whenever he liked something he owned, he offered
it in charity for Allah's pleasure."
789-
Ahmad bin Muhammad bin
Sanan narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once let go of
a woman servant called Ramitha, and before she left, he said to her: "O
Ramïtha, I heard the words of Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, in His
book, addressing the believers: 4 By no means will you receive the benefit of
trueness to your Lord, unless you spend freely out of what you love most. > (Qur'an
3:92).
'Abdullah then
said to her: "Let Allah be my witness, that I surely feel most comfortable
about having you as a member of my household, and you have certainly become
dear to me in this world, I therefore release you for the pleasure of Allah.
You may go now, you are a free woman."
790-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, re Nâfi' that whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar
felt attached to something he owned, he gave some of it away in charity for
God's pleasure. Sometimes, he would distribute about thirty thousand dirhams
during a single setting. Ibn 'Âmer came to 'Abdullah bnu Omar at two occasions
and offered him thirty thousand dirhams to engage Nâfi' in his service, but
'Abdullah refused the barter. On the second occasion, and after Ibn 'Amer had
left, 'Abdullah turned to his attending companion (Mawla) Nâfi' and
said: "O Nâfi', I am afraid that the generous money Ibn 'Âmer is offering
me to acquire you may occupy my thoughts and distract my focus, and that could
lead me astray, therefore you may go now, you are a free man."
791-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, re Nâfi' that 'Abdullâh bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, would subsist on food other than meat for a long stretch of
time. In general, he only ate meat regularly during his travels, or during the
fasting month of Ramadan. Otherwise, perhaps he would go for an entire month
without eating a single bite of meat.
792-
Abu Hâmed bin Jabla
narrated that Nâfi' said: "By the time 'Abdullâh bnu Omar, God be pleased
with him, died, he had
bought the freedom of
over one thousand slaves."
793-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated, re Nàfi' that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, once bartered a land he owned for two hundred camels. He then
placed one hundred of them to serve God's path at once, and he made it
conditional upon their new owners not to sell any of them should they have to
do so, until they had passed the distant valley of Wàdi al-Qurâ in the
North.
794-
Nâfi' narrated that
Mu'âwiya once sent one hundred thousand dirhams to 'Abdulláh bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, who in turn distributed the entire amount in charity before
the end of that year.
795-
Ismâ'ïl bin Ishâq
al-Qâdhi narrated that Ayoub bin Wâ'il al-Ràsi said: "One day I visited
the city of Madina, and a neighbor of 'Abdullah bnu Omar told me that a man
came a day earlier and delivered to 'Abdullah bnu Omar four thousand dirhamsas
a gift from the caliph Mu'âwiya, four thousand dirhams as a gift from someone
else, and another two thousand dirhams as a gift from a third person, plus a
new shawl. The next day, 'Abdullah bnu Omar was seen in the market trying to
buy some fodder for his horse for one dirham on credit."
The neighbor
continued: "I recognized the person who delivered the four thousand
dirhams from the caliph, so I hastened to his detachment before they would
leave the city, and when I saw the man, I said to him, T wish to ask you
something personal, and I would like you to tell me the truth! Aren't you the
man who came yesterday and delivered to 'Abdullah bnu Omar four thousand
dirhams from Mu'âwiya, four thousand dirhams from someone else, and another two
thousand dirhams from a third person, plus a new shawl?' The man replied,
'Indeed, I did.'
The neighbor
remarked: "I saw him today trying to buy some feed for his horse for one
dirham on credit!" The man said: "In fact, 'Abdulláh bnu Omar did not
even go to sleep before he had distributed the entire endowment he received. As
for the shawl, I later learned that he had send it to a needy person in town as
soon as he left."
The neighbor
then returned to the market and exclaimed: "O merchants, wake-up! What are
you wasting your time doing competing with one another in this world while
'Abdullah bnu Omar lives amidst you! Last night he received a gift of over ten
thousand dirhams, and this morning you found him trying to buy a little forage
for his horse for one dirhams on credit! Wake-up, O merchants wake-up!"
796-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Nâfi' said: "One time, 'Abdullah
bnu Omar fell sick, and I bought him a cluster of grapes[XXXIX]
for one dirham. As soon as I placed the grapes before him, a beggar knocked at
the door, and 'Abdullah said to me, 'Take these grapes and give them to that
man.' I said, 'First taste some of them!' He replied, 'No, give all of them to
him.' So I did, but I also went out after the beggar, I bought the grapes back
from him for one dirham, and I brought them back to 'Abdullah. The beggar who
took the one dirham went away for few moments, but shortly after that, he
returned to the door and asked for something in charity. Again 'Abdullah bnu
Omar said to me, 'Give these grapes to the man at the door,' and again I said,
'Eat some at least, taste them!' He insisted, 'No. Give all of them to that
man,' and I did as he told me. Like that, for the third time — or perhaps for
the fourth time — I handed the grapes to the same beggar, and I further went
after him and bought them back for one dirham, and every time, he took the
money, he went away for a moment before he returned to the door and asked for
something in charity. After the third or the fourth time, I became upset, and I
went after the beggar and I said to him, 'Aren't you ashamed of your actions?'
Finally, I bought the cluster of grapes from him for another dirham, and he
agreed to leave, and at last, I brought the grapes to 'Abdullah bnu Omar who
ate some."
797-
Ibn al-Mubârak narrated,
re the above account that Nâfi' said: "Had 'Abdullah bnu Omar known my
story with the beggar, he would have never tasted the grapes."
798-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once traveled with
his family to the town of al-Juhfa, and one day, he said to his wife Safiyya
bint Abi 'Ubaid: "I would like to eat some
fish today!" Immediately someone went out to buy some fish, but
he couldn't find more than a single fish in the marketplace, and which he
eventually bought. Safiyya prepared the fish for her husband, and as soon as
'Abdullah bnu Omar sat with his family to eat, a beggar came to his door and
asked for some charity. 'Abdullah bnu Omar immediately said: "Give this
fish to the man at the door." The wife did so, but then she turned to her
husband and said: "You know how much trouble we went through to get this
fish and to prepare it for you, and then you simply give it away in charity! We
could have given the man some money instead!"
799-
In another narration of
the above account, Muhammad bin Hayyân narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar once
desired to eat some fish, and as soon as the meal was brought to him, a beggar
knocked at the door, and when 'Abdullah knew that, he immediately said:
"Give this fish to the needy man." His wife said: "Why don't we
give him some money instead! It will be of more use to him, and then you can
satisfy your desire for the fish!" 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him, replied: "I care little for my desire."
800-
Qutaiba bin Sa'id
narrated that someone once reproved the wife of 'Abdullah bnu Omar, saying:
"How is it that you fail to take good care of this old man?" She
replied: "What can I do, every time we cook for him, he invites someone to
share in his meal, and he himself barely eats anything!"
Qutaiba bin
Sa'id continued: "That same day, Safiyya bint Abi 'Ubaid went out to a
group of needy people who usually posted along his path to the mosque, she fed
them, and said to them, 'Please sit somewhere else today, and should 'Abdullah
invite you for a meal, make an excuse and do not come.' That evening, when
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, came home after the 'Isha
evening prayers, and when his wife, brought him his dinner, he said to her:
"Call our neighbor so and so to partake some of our food!" Safiyya
also had sent that family some food, and she also had requested them not to
come should he invite them to dinner. After waiting for a while, and when no
one answered his invitation, 'Abdullah turned to his family and said: "It
is you who wanted me not to have dinner this evening," and he retired to
his bed that night without eating."
801-
Muhammad bin Qays
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, would not eat unless
some poor people shared his meal with him, and this caused him to lose weight
and rendered his health poor. When he grew older, and when his wife would
prepare some dates for him, she would also bring him a drink of water to help
his digestion.
802-
Hamza, the son of
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, narrated that even when his father
had extra food at home, he never fully appeased his hunger, and particularly
when it was imperative that he finds someone to partake in his meal.
One day, Ibn
Muti' visited 'Abdullah bnu Omar during an illness, and he remarked that he had
lost weight. Ibn Muti' turned to Safiyya and said: "Why don't you take
better care of this old man! Make him some nutritious food, perhaps he may
regain his health?" She replied: "We do that regularly my brother,
but whenever we bring him his meal, he does not let anyone of his family, or
his neighbors, or even his present guests but calls them to partake in his
meal. Why don't you talk to him about his eating habits?"
Ibn Muti' then
turned to 'Abdullah and said: "O Abu 'Abdu- Rahmân! Why don't you take
better care of your health and help yourself regain some weight!"
'Abdullah replied: "My dear brother, I have lived some eighty years now,
and I do not remember whether I ever ate my full, or maybe I did so once, I am
not sure! Do you now want me to change my eating habits at this age, and when I
have no more than a donkey's last leg in this world!"
803-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Omar bin Hamza bin 'Abdullah, said:
"I was once sitting with my father when a man walked by us, and my father
asked him, 'Tell me, what did you say to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, when I saw you
two, and I saw you talking to him at Jaraf?' The man replied, T said, 'O Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân,
your bite has become softer, you have reach old age, and your guests do not
recognize your rights and personal needs, nor do they understand your honors
and status. If only you would order your family to take better care of you, and
to prepare you some special food to strengthen your body!' He replied, 'Alas,
alas! Let Allah be my witness that I have not had my fill even once for the
past twelve years, or perhaps thirteen or fourteen years, and now, at this
junction of my life, what do you expect me to do, when what I have left in this
world could not last beyond the fatal brief thirst of a donkey!' "
804-
Nàfi' narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "The truth is that I
have never once ate my fill since I became Muslim."
805-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Abu Bakr bnu Hafs
said: " 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, never sat to eat a
meal unless an orphan had a share in it."
806-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, took his lunch or dinner, he also invited the orphans of his
neighborhood to partake in his meal. One day, when he sat to eat, 'Abdullah
asked his family to invite a neighboring orphan, but the boy was not home.
'Abdullah then commenced eating his lunch with his family, and when they he had
just finished eating, and as soon as he reached out to take his daily sweet
drink, the young orphan arrived, 'Abdullah looked at him, and smiled, and
handing him his cup to drink from, he said: "Drink this, I do not think
that you have missed much."
807-
Salim bin 'Âsim narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, never turned away a beggar
unsatisfied, and that he sometimes ate with a leper from the same plate, and at
times the leper's hand may have been plasmatic.
808-
'Abdullah bin al-Mughfra
narrated that 'Ubaidullâh bin 'Adiy, an early servant of 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
once arrived to Madina from Iraq, and he went to pay his respect to him. During
his visit, 'Ubaidullâh said: "I brought you a gift." "What is
it?" 'Abdullah asked. 'Ubaidullâh replied: "A special mix of crushed
nuts called Jawârish." "What is Jawârish1?"
'Abdullâh inquired. 'Ubaidullâh replied: "It is a special mix of nuts and
grains, and they are very good for digestion!"
'Abdullâh bnu
Omar then said: "I have not filled my stomach to surfeit for some forty
years, therefore, what do you want me to do with a digestive?"
809-
In his narration of the
above account, Imam Muhammad Ibn Seeri'n, reported that a man said to 'Abdullah
bnu Omar, God be pleased with him: "Would you like me to prepare some Jawârish
for you?"
'Abdullah bnu
Omar inquired: "What is Jawârish, and what do you do with them? The
man replied: "It's a special mix of nuts and grains, and they are used to
cure constipation."
'Abdullah bnu
Omar then said: "I have not had a full stomach for the past four months,
and believe me, it is not because I do not have the means to buy food, but
rather I was accustomed to the company of people who alternated their eating
habits, — one meal they ate their fill, and the next meal they stayed
hungry."
810-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that someone once brought 'Abdullah bnu Omar
fruits of a caper tree (Arb. kabar). 'Abdullah bnu Omar asked:
"What is it?" The man replied: "This fruit is a very nutritional
fruit, and it helps to soften the digestive system!"
'Abdullah
commented: "As for my eating habits, perhaps an entire month goes by
before I fill my stomach once, or maybe twice!"
811-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Maimoun bin Mihrân said: "A throng of people who followed
Najda al-Harouri once passed by a camel herd belonging to 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, and they unjustly decided to seize the herd and to drive
it away with them. The shepherd escaped, and he ran back to 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
crying loud:
"O Abu
'Abdu-Rahmân! Look out for your camels!' " 'Abdullah bnu Omar inquired
eagerly: "What happened to them?"
"A band
of Najda al-Harouri came by and drove them away!" The shepherd replied
'Abdullah asked: "How is it that they have taken the camel herd and let
you go?" The shepherd replied, 'At first they captured me as well, but
then I was able to escape."
'Abdullah
asked: "What made you decide to run away from them and to come back to
me?" The shepherd replied: "Because you are more dear to me than
them." 'Abdullah then said: "Would you swear to Allah
Whom there is no god be He that I am more
1 Arb. Jarash;
pl. Jawârish. dear to you than them?" "I
do." The shepherd replied.
'Abdullah then said:
"As far as I am concerned, neither you nor these camels belong to me. Go,
you are a free man."
A short while later,
someone came to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and said:
"Would you like to see your she-camel so and so?" The man named her,
and then added: "It is being sold right now in the marketplace!"
'Abdullah replied:
"Lead me to my coat;" but when he stood up and placed his coat over
his shoulders, he pondered for a moment and then sat down again before he
serenely said to the man: "I thought about that she-camel and as to its
whereabouts, but then I decided not to look for it."
812-
Maimoun bin Mihràn
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once signed a
contract with one of his servants to release him from his duties upon payment
of a specified some of money in easy installments. When the first installment
was due, the servant brought the money, and 'Abdullah bnu Omar asked him:
"Where from did you get this money?" The servant replied: "Some
of it I earned by working overtime, and the balance was a charity I begged
for."
'Abdullah became agitated
and he said: "Do you want me to feed my family and children of people's
filth and of what they cast away to cleanse their own earnings and actions? Go,
I release you of your obligations for the sake of Allah's pleasure. You may
take away what you brought here and leave, you are free man."
813-
Maimoun bin Mihrân
narrated that one of the sons of 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him,
once asked his father for a new izâr3 explaining that his izar
was worn out, and it also had a couple of holes in it, and that he shied to
wear it any more in public. 'Abdullah replied: "You can cut off the part
that is worn out, mend it and wear it again!" Somehow, it appeared that
the young boy disliked his father's suggestion, and when 'Abdullah saw
discontent on the face of his son, he said to him: "My son, beware of
Allah, and fear him. Do not become like people who use Allah's favors to merely
satisfy their hunger and to display them over their shoulders!"
814-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that Maimoun bin Mihrân said: "I visited the house of 'Abdullah
bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and I noticed that the value
of its combined contents did not equal the price of my shawl."
815-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, once stayed in the town of al-Juhfa, and the people
flocked in crowds to visit with him. When a rich man called Ibn 'Âmer bin
Kuraiza saw that, he asked his servant to take what he baked for that day to
'Abdullah bnu Omar' house. Hence, the servant brought the first tray of food,
and 'Abdullah bnu Omar asked him to put it down before his guests. Shortly
after that, the servant returned with a second tray of food, and he wanted to
take back the first tray before placing the second one in its place, but
'Abdullah asked him: "What do you want?" The servant replied: "I
want to take the first tray back!" 'Abdullah said: "Leave it where it
is, and place the contents of the second tray on top of the first tray."
The servant reluctantly did what he was told, and every time he brought a new
tray, 'Abdullah bnu Omar asked him to replenish the main tray.
When the
servant finally fulfilled his duty and returned to Ibn 'Âmer bin Kuraiza, and
having not recognized the identity of the man he had to serve, he said:
"Surely this man is one of the rudest bedouin Arabs I have ever met!"
Ibn 'Âmer bin Kuraiza immediately responded: "Watch out what you say; —
this is your true master, he is 'Abdullah, the son of Omar bin al-Khattâb, God
be pleased with both of them!"
816-
Also in reference to the
above account, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that
Abu Ja'far al-Qari said: "My master, 'Âmer bin Kuraiza, asked me to
accompany 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, during his stay in
al-Juhfa and to serve his needs. During his travels, in every place 'Abdullah
bnu Omar stopped to drink some water or to pray, he asked me to invite the
people of that locality to a share his food. Whenever the elders among his
children came to eat, they would take a couple of bites and leave immediately
after that to allow the guests to eat."
Tzar: A surround, a long
cotton wrapper, traditionally worn by Middle Eastern men.
"One day, 'Abdullah
bnu Omar invited his neighbors from al- Juhfa to share his meal. During their
meal, a poor black boy who had no shirt to cover his back arrived. When
'Abdullah bnu Omar saw him, he invited him to eat. The young boy replied, 'I
would like to do so, but it looks too crowded here, I cannot even find a place
for me to sit down!' 'Abdullah bnu Omar then moved to one side, and the young boy
sat to eat in a very tight spot, practically leaning on 'Abdullah's ribs."
817-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Qur'a said: "I
once saw 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, wearing a coarse garment,
and I said to him, 'O Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân, I see you wearing a coarse garment, and
I have brought you a robe of Persian soft fabric made in Kharasân to wear
instead.' 'Abdullah replied, 'Show it to me.' When he saw it and felt it,
'Abdullah inquired, 'Is it made of silk?' I replied, 'Not at all, this is pure
cotton.' 'Abdullah looked at it again and said, T will be afraid to wear it. I
will be afraid that should I wear it, I may develop a feeling of haughtiness
and pride, and Allah does not like the haughty person or the proud.'"
818-
Muhammad bin 'Abdullah
al-Hadhrami narrated that someone asked 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him: "What kind of clothing are commendable to wear?" 'Abdullah
replied: "Wear something which the common narrow-minded impudent does not
find fault in it, and which a wise and a forbearing person does not censure you
for wearing it!" The man further asked: "Of what worth should such
garment be?" 'Abdullah replied: "Something you can buy for in-between
five and twenty dirhams."
819-
Sulaimân Bin Ahmad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "I was a
young man and single, and during the time of God's messenger upon whom be
peace, I mostly slept at the mosque. At that time, it was common when someone
saw a dream to narrate it to God's messenger upon whom be peace, to hear his
interpretation. Witnessing such daily events, I too wished to see a dream to
report it to God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and
to hear his interpretation. Soon after that, one night, in my sleep, I saw as
though two angels came and took me on a journey to see hell-fire. When we
reached there, I saw it enclosed, just like a deep well, having a huge caldrons
similar in shape to those used to draw water from a well. In hell, I also saw
some people I knew, and I immediately started praying, T seek refuge in
Allah from the fire of hell, 1 seek refuge in Allah from the fire of hell.'
A third angel came by and said to me, 'You do not have to worry!' In the
morning, I told my dream to my sister Hafsa, (the wife of God's messenger
Í&), and she in turn narrated my dream to him. God's messenger upon whom be
peace, commented to her, 'Surely 'Abdullah is a good man. I only wish that he
offers supererogatory nafl prayers during some parts of the night.'
"
Hafsa reported
to her brother what God's messenger upon whom be peace, said, and from that day
on, and throughout the balance of his life, 'Abdullah used to sleep but a little
of the night.
820-
Naff narrated that when
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, missed his evening 'isha
prayers in congregation, he would stand up all night in prayers until the dawn fajr
congregational prayers."
821-
Naff narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, used to stand up all-night in tahajjud
prayers. Two thirds through the night, intending to fast the following day,
'Abdullah would ask his companion-attendant: "O Naff, is it time for the
predawn suhür meal?" Naff replied: "Not yet!" 'Abdullah
bnu Omar then would resume his prayers, standing up, reading long chapter of
the Qur'an, until sometimes later, and then he would ask again: "O Naff,
is it time for the predawn suhür meal yet?" And only when Naff
replied in the affirmative that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him,
would sit down, ask for Allah's forgiveness, and invoke special supplications
until the dawn fajr prayers, where he would join the congregation at the
mosque.
822-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that whenever 'Abdullah bnu
Omar, God be pleased with him, visited Mecca, he used to stay at the house of
Abu Ghalib, and he was known to stand up all-night in tahajjud prayers.
One night, shortly before the dawn fajr prayers, he woke up his host,
and said to him: "O Abu Ghalib! Wouldn't you like to wake up and read one
third of the Qur'an before dawn?" Abu Ghalib, while still in his bed, half
asleep, looked out and replied: "How can I finish reading one third of the
Qur'an when it is almost dawn?" 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him, then said: "Don't you know that the reward of reading surat-ul
Ikhlâs[XL]
one time equals the benefit of reading one third of the Qur'an!"
823-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, used to stand up regularly between the noon zuhur
prayer and the mid-afternoon ‘asr prayer in supererogatory prayers.
824-
Ibrâhîm Ibn Maisara
narrated that Tâwous, said: "I have not seen devotion and sedulousness
during prayers such as those of 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him. In
fact, I have never ever seen anyone who is wholly absorbed with his entire body
and heart when he turns towards the Ka'ba during prayers such as he does."
825-
Mu'ar bin Sa'ïd narrated
that Abi Burda once prayed next to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him,
and he heard him pray during his prostration: "My Lord, be Thou the One I
love most, and the One I fear most. My Lord, I swear by Thy bounty, guidance,
and countless favors upon me, that I shall never become a helper to the kuffâr
who deny Thy revelation. My Lord, since the day I embraced Thy revelation and
accepted Islam by Thine guidance, I have always hoped that my prayers and
devotion will qualify as kaffard (absolution) for my sins."
826-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, prayed at dawn,
every morning: "My Lord, grant me to receive the greatest share of
benefits and blessings Thou distribute among Thy servants for this morning. My
Lord, make me a light by which Thou guides the people, a mercy that Thou
showers upon them, and a wholesome nourishment which Thou extends for them. My
Lord, rescind any harm destined for them for this day, lift any calamity which
Thou have justly brought down upon them, and dispel any misleading deception
which they may have attracted towards themselves."
827-
Ahmad bin Ja'far bin
Hamdan narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, stood up in
prayers, and he recited the verse: < What a woeful destiny is awaiting those
who defraud others, — those who, when they buy, they demand full measure, and
when they sell they cheat and short weigh their merchandise. Do they not think
that they will not be resurrected for judgment? This will surely take place on
an awesome Day, the day when all humanity will stand up before the Lord of all
creation (for reckoning). > (Qur'an 83-1-6). When 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, read this verse, he burst out crying until he fell on
the floor from exhaustion. He then completed his prayers sitting down, and he
did not read the rest of the chapter."
828-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Naff said: "Whenever 'Abdullah bnu
Omar, God be pleased with him, read the last three verses of Surat-ul
Baqara, beginning with the divine utterance, < Whether you unveil what
you think or conceal it, Allah will question you about it, >(Qur'an
2:284-286), 'Abdullah bnu Omar would burst out crying, and when he
completed his reading, he would say, 'Surely this is an awesome, a ponderous,
and a scrupulous reckoning.' "
829-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated re Naff, that whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, read a verse wherein hell-fire is mentioned, he used
to stop, and pray to Allah, the most exalted, beseeching Him to shield him from
it."
830-
Ahmad bin Sanan narrated
that Yusuf bin Mâhik, once saw 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him,
giving a talk, and his eyes were overflowing with tears.
831-
''Abdullah bin Muhammad
narrated that Naff said: "Whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him, read the verse, < Is it not time for those who believe (in God) to let
their hearts submit in reverence and awe, and to accept His message when they
hear His admonition? > (Qur'an 57:16), and by the end of the verse,
'Abdullah bnu Omar would be overcome by crying."
832-
Al-Hassan narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said in one of his sermons:
"Let whosoever wishes to follow a sunna (convention) emulate the
traditions of those who passed. Those are the companions of God's messenger
■£&, upon whom be peace, for they are the best of what this family of
believers (umma) have ever produced. They possessed the most true
hearts, and the deepest of knowledge and understanding, and they were the least
assumptuous. Allah, the most exalted, chose them for the fellowship of His
prophet ■&, upon whom be peace, and to transmit His religion. Hence, imbibe
their characters and follow closely their conventions,[XLI]
for they are the companions of God's messenger ÎË, upon whom be peace. They
truly walked on the straight path, and I swear to this truth by Allah, the Lord
of the Ka'ba."
During that
sermon, 'Abdullah also said: "O son of Adam, be in this world with your
body only, but depart from it with your heart and concerns. Surely you are
answerable for your actions on the Day of Grand Standing. Therefore, do what
you can today for the benefit of what you will reap tomorrow upon death, and
God willing, by doing so, you would have qualified yourself to receive the best
of rewards."
833-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "One does
not become a truly knowledgeable 'âlim except: 1) If he is not met with
the jealousy of those higher in rank; 2) if he is not belittled by those who
are less knowledgeable than he; and 3) as long as he does not take advantage of
his knowledge for monetary gain."
834-
Salem bin Abi'l Ja'ad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "A man
does not attain the station of true faith (ïmân) unless he regards
others as incapable of understanding the reasons behind his immoderate
religious exertions."
835-
Yusuf bin Ya'qoub
al-Nujairami narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once
said: "Sometimes, it is even better to vaunt about one's good deeds rather
than to speak boastfully about one's evildoing."
836-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once said: "Any
comfort a servant solicits and achieves in this world will demote his standing
before Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, in the hereafter, and that's even
if the servant is generous in sharing the benefits of his success with
others."
837-
Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that someone said to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him:
"O Abu 'Abdu- Rahmân, Zaid bin Hâritha al-Ansari has just died."
'Abdullah replied: "May the mercy of Allah encompass him." The man
continued: "O Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân, he teft one hundred thousand Dirhams
behind him!" 'Abdullah bnu Omar replied: "Yet they did not leave
him."
838-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin
Ja'far narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, was at the
mosque when he heard a man shouting: "Where are those who have renounced
the world and who are truly desirous of the hereafter?" 'Abdullah bnu Omar
immediately went to the man , and he took him by the hand, and he led him to
the site of the graves of God's prophet upon whom be peace, and its adjacent
two graves of his blessed companions, Abu Bakr and Omar, God be pleased with
them; 'Abdullah pointed to them and said: "Are you asking about these
people?"
839-
Sulaimân bin Habib
narrated that he heard 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, say:
"I swear by Allah, that even if I unintentionally place my finger in a
glass of wine, I would not wish for that finger to follow me!"
840-
Yusuf bin Mihrân narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "I would rather
drink boiling water from hell, or even to burn in hell-fire, and to remain
therein as long as one may remain, rather than to drink a single sip of wine!"
841-
Qays bin Sa'ad narrated
that someone asked 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, to give an
opinion regarding a Muslim man who was forced under exceptionally adverse
circumstances to drink wine and to eat the flesh of swine, 'Abdullah bnu Omar
replied: "It will be good for him if he refrains from further doing so
until he dies, or otherwise, should he continue to eat the flesh of swine and
to drink wine, then in fact, this disease lies in him."
842-
Naff narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "The best thing a man
must cleanse is his tongue."
843-
Al-Zahri narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, never cursed any of his servants
except for one whom he released from his service immediately after that
incident.
Al-Zahri
expounded: " 'Abdullah bnu Omar was once extremely upset with the manners
of one of his servants, and he wanted to curse him. As soon as 'Abdullah began
to utter the word 'Cur...', he held his tongue, and he swallowed the balance of
the word, then said: "I do not like to utter this word!"
844-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that someone once addressed 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him, saying: "O the best of men, — or perhaps he said, 'O son of the best
of men!' — When 'Abdullah bnu Omar heard that praise, he replied: "I am
not the best of men, nor am I the son of the best of men. I am only a simple 'abd,
(a dependent creation) of Allah, the most exalted, just an 'abd amidst
the infinite multitudes of His creations. I place my hope in Him as well as I
fear Him." 'Abdullah then added: "O people! I swear that a time will
come when you will keep on glorifying, praising, and flattering a man until you
bring about his demise."
845-
Abu Bakr bin Khallàd narrated,
re Naff, that during his pilgrimage to Mecca, 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, used to invoke the same talbiya (proclamation of
compliance) as those recalled by God's messenger upon whom be peace, and
'Abdullah also prayed:
Here I come my divine
Lord, here I come.
Here I am at Your service
my Lord, here I come.
In compliance with Your command, here I come.
Responding to Your call, here I come.
Indeed, most fortunate am
I to receive Your command,
here I come!
Here I come my divine
Lord, here I come.
Surely all the favors and
blessings are in Your Hand,
Here I come.
Here I come my divine Lord, importunately thirsting and soliciting
Your divine acceptance,
here I come.
Surely all the good deeds
we do are Your favors,
and all are rewarded solely by You my divine Lord,
here 1 come.
846-
Hafs bin 'Amr al-Hawdhi
narrated that Nâfi' heard 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, pray at
the Hill of Safa, during a pilgrimage to Mecca: "My divine Lord, protect
me by helping me to correctly comply with Your religion (of Islam). Guide me to
obey Your commands and to comply with the guidance of Your messenger 4!j, upon
whom be peace. Lord, protect me against infringing upon the limitations sat by
You. Lord, fill my heart with love for You, and gather me among those who love
Your angels, Your messengers, and Your righteous servants. My divine Lord,
write me among those You love, and whom Your angels, Your messengers, and Your
righteous ones love. My divine Lord, help me to do my deeds with ease. Help me to
avoid the avenues of difficulties, forgive me my sins in this world, do not
require them from me thereafter, Lord, and gather me among the blessed pattern
of the pious ones in the hereafter. Lord! You said, 'Call upon Me, and I will
answer your prayers.' Lord, surely You do not fail Your promise. O Allah,
indeed, You are the One Who guided me to Islam. I beseech You not to divest me
of Your gift. Do not deprive me of it, nor take it away from me. Keep me thus
until You take my soul back to You in a state of perfect Islam, submitting to
You."
Nâfi' added:
"This was only a short passage of an extensive prayer, 'Abdullah bnu Omar,
God be pleased with him, prayed at the hills of Safa and Marwa,
and he repeated them again at the Valley of 'Arafat, and later on, he invoked
the same prayers near the Sacred Monument at Jamarat, arid then during.his
final circumambulation of the Ka'ba."
847-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that whenever 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, arrived to Madina,
and prior to entering his house, he would first visit the grave of God's
messenger
upon whom be
peace, and facing it, he would greet him, and invoke Allah's salawât
(blessings) upon him. 'Abdullah then would move few steps to the right, facing
the grave of Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, invoke Allah's blessings upon
him, and pray for him. Finally, 'Abdullah would move a couple of steps further
to the right, and he would be stand facing the grave of his father, Omar bin
al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, he would invoke Allah's blessings upon
him, pray for him, and then burst out crying: "O my beloved father! O my
father! O my dear father!"
848-
'Urwa bin al-Zubair
narrated: "We were pilgrims in Mecca, and while circumambulating the
Ka'ba, I turned to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and I asked him
for the hand of his daughter Sawda' in marriage, but he did not acknowledge. I
said to myself that had he accepted my offer, he would have replied, and I
vowed not to open the subject with him again. After completing our pilgrimage,
it happened that 'Abdullah had to return to Madina before I did. Few days
later, when I arrived to Madina, I first visited the mosque of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and after paying the due respect to his resting place, I
went to join the circle were 'Abdullah bnu Omar was sitting with some
companions. I paid my respect to him, and he welcomed me cheerfully, and he
asked me, 'When did you arrive?' I replied, 'Just now.' He then said to me, 'It
happened that you asked me for the hand of Sawda, daughter of 'Abdullah, during
our tawâf (circumambulating the Ka'ba), and at that station, we were
occupied in apperceiving and appreciating the presence of Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, before our own eyes. Surely you also may have had other
opportunities to express your interest in this marriage, and at other than such
a sacred station. However, when you did, I remained silent, and I told my self
that this was Allah's decree. Now that we have completed our pilgrimage, tell
me, what do you think about your earlier proposal?' I rejoiced and I replied
enthusiastically, 'I am most keen, and certainly I am more solicitous than ever
to succeed at winning the honor of this betrothal.' 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, then called his two sons Salem and 'Abdullah as witnesses,
and after she consented, he gave me the hand of his daughter Sawda in marriage."
849-
Sulaimàn bin Ahmad
narrated that Mus'ab, 'Urwa, and 'Abdullah, children of al-Zubair, and
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, were sitting together near the
Black Stone at the Ka'ba in Mecca, when one of them suggested that each one
makes a wish. 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair said: "I wish to become a
caliph." 'Urwa bin al-Zubair said: "I wish to become a scholar, and
that people acquire knowledge from me." Mus'ab bin al-Zubair said: "I
wish to govern Iraq, and to marry 'Aisha, the daughter of Talha, and Sakina,
the daughter of al-Hussain." Finally, as to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, he said: "I wish for Allah's forgiveness."
Abi al-Zinâd,
who also reported the above account, commented: "The first three had their
wishes fulfilled, and we pray that Allah has fulfilled the wish of 'Abdullah
bnu Omar."
850-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated that during the caliphate of Ibn al-Zubair and at the time of violent
political turmoil with his adversaries the Kharijites (dissenters), some people
came to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and said: "How can
you accept to pray alongside such people as well as pray together with their
opponents, when they both are murdering one another?" 'Abdullah bnu Omar
replied: "As to me, whosoever proclaims, 'Come to pray,' I will answer his
call, and whosoever announces the divine invitation, 'Come to reap success,' I
will answer his call as well, but whosoever calls for the murder of another
Muslim brother and to unjustly seize his property, I will say 'No' to that!'
851-
Bishr bin Músa narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "Our parable
during this ordeal of dissension is like that of the story of a people who
traveled on a road they knew. Suddenly, an opaque cloud descended upon them and
befogged their vision. Some strayed to the right, and others to the left, and
thus, both of them lost their way, while we camped in our place until Allah,
blessed be His Name, caused the cloud to dissipate. Only then, and when we were
able to see the road, we recognized what happened, and we continued on our
journey. These two groups are the children of Quraish, and they are murdering
one another to win leadership and control of this world. As for me, I have no
interest in what they are fighting for, and I will not even barter my two worn
out old sandals for the sake of what they are hoping to win."
852-
Müsa bin 'Uqba narrated
that Nâfi' said: "In my mind, and following common perceptions, if I was
to look at 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and examine his
unrelenting and faithful pursuit of the footsteps and traditions of God's
messenger
upon whom be peace, I
would say that this man is crazy!"
853-
'Abdullah bin Numair
narrated that 'Âsim al-Ahwal said: "Sometimes, when one looks at 'Abdullah
bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, one would think that he is different from
the common people, and that's because of his unrelenting and faithful pursuit
of tracing the footsteps and exact traditions of God's messenger
upon whom be peace."
854-
Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaiba
narrated, re Nâfi', that on his way to Mecca, sometimes 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God
be pleased with him, would lean forward on his camel, throws his arms around
its neck, and attempts to steer it, saying: "Perchance your hoofs would
step into the footprint of the hoofs of his camel."[XLII]
855-
Zaid bin Aslam narrated
that his father Aslam said: "No she-camel who is bewildered by the loss of
her newly weaned babe in a vast desert would search the traces of her lost
babe's footprints better than 'Abdullah bnu Omar's constant pursuit of the
legend of his father, Omar bin al-Khattâb, may God be pleased with both of
them, in the way they both embraced and emulated the traditions of God's
messenger ££, upon whom be peace."
856-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated that when Ishaq bin 'Abdullah visited 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be
pleased with him, Ishaq would sometimes accompany him to the marketplace.
Walking through it's streets, 'Abdullah would unfailingly greet everyone; — a
locksmith, a merchant, or an indigent, — no matter who he passed by, and in
fact, he would never let any Muslim pass by without greeting him before
'Abdullah would return to his house, having bought nothing.
Ishaq asked
him: "Why do you even take me with you to the marketplace? You never stop
to ask about a merchandise or a price! You do not bargain with anyone, nor do
you sit with anyone, and sometimes, I say to myself, perhaps he would stop here
by these people and chat with them, but you
don't do that neither!"
'Abdullah bnu
Omar, God be pleased with him, replied, teasing his companion: "O paunchy!
— In truth, we go to the market for the sake of spreading salâm (peace),
by greeting everyone. Therefore, you too should pay your regards to everyone
you pass-by!"
857-
Malik bin Anas narrated
that 'Ubaidullâh, son of 'Abdullah bin 'Utba said: "Ikhlâs,
(sincerity) was easily recognizable in Omar bin al-Khattâb and in his son
'Abdullah bnu Omar, may God be pleased with both of them, and anyone could
clearly recognize their birr (trueness to their Lord) in the way they
way they spoke, and in their actions."
858-
Muhammad bin Ishâq
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once said to
Mujâhid: "O Abu'l Ghazi! For how long did God's prophet Noah remain amidst
his people?" Mujahid replied: "Some nine hundred and fifty
years!" 'Abdullah then commented: "Since then, people's life span
have decreased gradually, their bodies have become smaller, and their
aspirations have grown narrower."
859-
Qatâda narrated that
someone asked 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, about the companions
of God's messenger
upon whom be
peace, and whether they ever laughed? 'Abdullah replied: "Of course they
laughed, but their faith was mightier than mountains."
860-
Adam bin 'Ali narrated
that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "On the Day of
Judgment, a group of people will be called the 'Deficient Ones'.' Someone
asked: "What does the 'deficient ones' means?" 'Abdullah replied:
"Such are the ones whose ablutions and prayers are inadequate through lack
of concentration and hastiness."
861-
Al-A'amash narrated that
while on a journey, Nâfi' and 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, once
stayed for few days as guests at someone's house, and after three nights of
being guests, 'Abdullah said: "O Nâfi', from today on, you may spend of
our own money for our needs."
862-
Qatâda narrated that
someone asked 'Abdullâh bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, about the testimony
of Là ilâha il Allah (Surely there is no god except Allah), saying, 'Can
any deed be ever harmful after testifying to it, just as in its antithesis,
where one's deeds are of no worth when denying it?' 'Abdullah replied,
'Brother, live your life as decreed by Allah, but avoid self adulation.'
863-
Ma'abad al-Jahni once
asked 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him: "'What do you say about
a man who never misses an opportunity to embark on a good deed except that he
may have some doubt about Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory?" 'Abdullah
bnu Omar replied: "He is doomed no doubt." Ma'abad further asked:
"Then what about a man who never misses an opportunity to engage in
mischief, except that he bears the testimony, Là ilâha il Allah,
Muhammadur-Rasul Allah (I testify that there is no God except Allah, and
that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah), and the man has never had the
slightest doubt about it?" 'Abdullah bnu Omar replied: "O Ma'abad,
live your life as destined by Allah, and spare yourself the reckoning for self
adulation."
864-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that Mujahid said: "I was walking with
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and we passed by a ruin. 'Abdullah
said to me, 'Say, O ruin, tell me, what did your people do?' I turned to the
ruin and said, 'O ruin, tell me, what did your people do?' A moment of silence
passed, then 'Abdullah bnu Omar said, 'They have gone, and these are the
effects which they have left behind them!' "
865-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with
him, passed by a group of people who stood around a man from Iraq, and who was
struck by an epileptic seizure. 'Abdullah asked: "What happened to
him?" The people replied: "Whenever he hears the Qur'an, he is seized
with such fit!" 'Abdullah commented: "We too fear Allah when we hear
the Qur'an as well, but we do not have fits!"
866-
Mujahid narrated, re
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom be
peace, said to him: "Love for the sake of Allah, abominate for the sake of
Allah, support others solely for the sake of Allah, and vie for the sake of
Allah, for otherwise, you will never receive the wilàya (guardianship)
of Allah, and no man will ever enjoy the taste of Imán (faith)
otherwise, and that's even if he prays and fasts extensively."
867-
Mujahid narrated that
'Abdullah bnu Omar said: "Today, loyalty (muwâlat) to people is
centered exclusively around selfish worldly interests, and such politically
motivated endorsements bring its people nothing but havoc."
'Abdullah bnu
Omar also said: "God's messenger upon whom be peace, once said to me, 'O
son of Omar, when you wake up in the morning, do not think about the evening,
and when you come upon the evening, do not think of the next morning. Take
advantage of your health today to balance your deeds when you fall ill, and take
advantage of your life in this world by offering good deeds to benefit you when
you die, for O 'Abdullah son of Omar, you never know what will your name be
tomorrow.' "
'Abdullah
continued: "God's messenger upon whom be peace, then took hold of my shoulder,
and he added, 'O 'Abdullah son of Omar, be in this world like a stranger, or a
traveler, and consider yourself among the dwellers of the graveyards.' "
868-
Mujahid narrated, re
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, that a young man stood up and asked
God's messenger
upon whom be
peace: "O messenger of Allah, who is.the most diligent among the
believers?" He replied: "The one that remembers death most, and who
is best prepared for it, such are the most diligent ones."
869-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated, re 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger -ëfc,
upon whom be peace, said: "Some people are extremely cognizant, and they
have correctly understood the commands of Allah, the most exalted, although,
they may look ugly; and they maybe lowly and despised in the eyes of others
today, but yet, they will be saved tomorrow. Others may speak with eloquence
and have a charming tongue, people like their look, and yet, they will be
doomed tomorrow, on the Day of Resurrection."
870-
'Abdullah bnu Ja'far
narrated, re 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, that when God's
messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, completed the building of the mosque in
Madina, he dedicated one of the doors exclusively for women, and he said:
"Let no man walk through this door."
Naff added:
"Since that day, I have never seen 'Abdullah bnu Omar ever walk through or
step out from that door."
871-
Al-Qâdhi Abu Ahmad
narrated that 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, said: "Here
comes a time upon us, when no one has right over his money more than his own
Muslim brother. In fact, it became so to fulfill a prophetic saying which I
have heard from the lips of God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace. He
said, 'When people become stingy about their Dinar and dirham, when they buy
and sell using monetary specimen (Arb. 'aina), when they follow the
cowtail, and when they forsake their struggle on God's path, Allah will inflict
them with humiliation, and He will not rescind it, until they review their
practic s, understand the reason behind their failures, and correct the way
they perform their religious obligations.'"
872-
Sa'id bin al-Musayyib
said: "On the day 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, died, there
was not a single person I wished to have had his deeds when I meet my Lord
except him."
873-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that al-Siddy said: "I met 'Abdullah bnu 'Amru, Aba Sa'id, and
Abu Huraira, among others, and all of them have recognized that no one has
departed from this world being in a state akin to that of God's messenger upon
whom be peace, except for 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him."
874-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that sometimes after the
passing of 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, 'Aisha, the mother of
the believers, God be pleased with her, said: "Lately, I have not seen
anyone who resembles the blessed companions of God's messenger upon whom be
peace, better than 'Abdullah bnu Omar, who was also buried enshrouded in an old
izâr."
41-
Ibn 'Abbàs ('Abdullâh bin al-'Abbâs)
In attempting
to further learn about the spirituality of the blessed companions of God's
messenger £&, upon whom be peace, and in this section, God willing, we will
also explore through authentic referenced accounts, some aspects of the true
spiritual commitment of the blessed and noble companion 'Abdullah bin al- '
Abbâs, also known as Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him. We will also endeavor
to view other areas of his blessed character, attempt to benefit from his spiritual
model, and try to learn from his understanding, and from few of his
explanations and commentaries, among other referenced testimonies of his
companions.
It is narrated
in the prophetic traditions that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once saw
his nephew Ibn al-'Abbas as a young boy, and he made an exceptional prayer on
his behalf. Hence, Ibn 'Abbas was destined to memorize the holy Qur'an by heart
with great ease, and he became gifted with quick understanding, as well as he
became an inspiring teacher since his early youth. Even the elders among the
early companions learned from his explanations, and they hearkened with great
interest to his Qur'anic interpretations, as well as they accepted them with
utmost respect.
Ibn 'Abbas was
a most discerning listener, and a sagacious speaker since his young age. He
also was perspicacious and most sensitive to his surroundings, and his
explanations were most clear and to the point. He was endowed with luminous
wisdom and understanding, for he was taught at the hand of the best of
teachers, the inspired deliverer of the final revelation of God Almighty, and
the seal of His prophets, God's messenger Muhammad upon whom be peace.
In fact, Ibn
'Abbas will always be perceived by all Muslims as the radiant moonlight of all
the learned ones, the pillar of the accomplished scholars, and the source of
the impeccable and unparalleled fountainhead of Qur'anic interpretations. Ibn
'Abbâs is regarded as the ever unfolding ocean of knowledge, and to this date,
the most insightful interpretations of the Qur'an and of the prophetic quotes
came via Ibn 'Abbâs, God be pleased with him. In fact, his interpretations,
commentaries, and his in-depth explanations (ta'w'il) of the inner
meanings of Qur'anic verses and prophetic sayings remain a cardinal reference
for the most acquainted Muslim scholars, and indeed, Ibn 'Abbâs, God be pleased
with him, is the most cherished endowment of all Muslims, and he will always
remain one of the most revered gnostics for Muslims all over the world.
Ibn 'Abbas always dressed
in white, he was a generous host as well as he was most respectful to his
guests, and he was extremely charitable. He acknowledged and strove to nurture
the blessings which Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him, as well as he struggled
continuously to free himself from attachment to any ephemeral interests and
what maybe fancied by the majority of people as material pleasure.
875-
Al-Zahri narrated, re Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once
saw him as a young child, and he said to him: "Young boy, let me teach you
few words and Allah, the most exalted, will bless you if you would live up to
them: 1) Constantly maintain your awareness of Allah, and you will find Him
omnipresent; 2) Recognize Allah's blessings when you are in comfort, and He
will sustain your needs whenever you face hardships; 3) if you were to ask for
anything, then ask only of Allah; 4) if you needed a helper, seek only the help
of Allah; 5) the divine pen of destiny has already dried, after it has written
the divine decree confirming the divine primordial knowledge of what will
happened.' 6) Hence, even if the entire creation assembles to give you
something Allah did not write in your destiny, they cannot give it to you; 7)
and even if they altogether unite their efforts to prevent you from receiving
something Allah has written in your name, they cannot do that neither, 8)
therefore, devote your deeds solely to Allah and offer them with contentment,
full acceptance, and certitude. Understand, that 9) there are ample benefits if
you can exercise patience towards what you dislike; 10) that victory comes with
persevering in patience; 11) that the gateway to safety and comfort is wide
opens during adversities; and finally, 12) realize that ample access to ease is
most present during difficulties."
876-
'Amru bnu Dinar narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "I once stood behind God's
prophet upon whom be peace, to pray during the later part of the night, and
just before he entered the sacrament of salât, he brought me forward,
and he made me stand next to him. When we completed the prayers, and prior to
leaving, I said to him, 'O messenger of Allah, is it permissible for any one
besides you to stand at that station, when you are the messenger of Allah, and
when that rank is God's exclusive gift to you?' God's messenger ■£&, upon
whom be peace, heard what I said, and he prayed to Allah, Blessed be His Name,
to expand my knowledge and understanding."
877-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "I was
at the house of God's messenger £=&, upon whom be peace, when he, peace and
blessings be upon him, went to a nearby pitcher in the house, where he took his
ablution and then drank some water while standing up. When I saw that, I said
to myself, 'By God, I would certainly like to do what God's messenger i£,
upon whom be peace, just did.' Hence, I went to that same pitcher, I took my
ablution, and I drank some water while standing up, and then, I followed him
and stood behind him to pray. When God's messenger upon whom be peace, saw me,
he pointed out to me to come forward, and to stand next to him to the right,
but I shied away, and insisted on standing up behind him. When he completed the
prayers, he said to me, 'What prevented you from standing next to me in
prayers?' I replied, 'O messenger of Allah, you are more revered and more
exalted in my eyes, that I should ever dare to stand next to you in prayers.'
God's messenger £¡», upon whom be peace, then prayed, 'O Allah, endow him with
wisdom.' "
878-
'Akrama narrated that Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "God's messenger upon whom be
peace, once embraced me and he prayed, 'O Allah, teach him wisdom.'"
879-
'Abdullah bnu Omar, God
be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, prayed
for 'Abdullah bin al-'Abbas, and said: "O Allah, bless him and further
increase Your blessings upon him through his progeny."
880-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger Ê&, upon whom be peace,
once came out of his house, and he met (his uncle) al-'Abbas and said to him:
"O Abul Fadhl, let me tell me the good news!" A1-'Abbas replied: "Indeed,
O messenger of Allah, please do!" God's messenger £& then cheered him
up when he added: "Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, has opened this
path with me, and He will bring it to its apogee through your
descendants."
881-
Jabir bin 'Abdullah, God
be pleased with him, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"In times yet to come, my umma (followers), will be ruled by kings
who will descend from al-'Abbas, and through them Allah will further exalt and
strengthen this religion."
882-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Mujahid said: "Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, also used to be called
'the Ocean of Knowledge/ because of the undiminishing wealth of knowledge he
possessed."
883-
Maimoun bin Mihrân
narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, told him, that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, once placed his hand over his head, and prayed:
"My Lord, endow him with wisdom, and teach him ta'wïl."[XLIII]
God's messenger upon whon. be peace, then placed his hand over Ibn 'Abbas's
chest, who felt its chill in his spine, as God's messenger & prayed:
"O Allah, fill him with wisdom and knowledge."
Maimoun
further added: "Ibn 'Abbas remained the primary expounder of knowledge of
this umma, until Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, took back his
soul."
884-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "God's messenger upon whom
be peace, prayed many times for my benefit, and he said to me, 'Indeed, you are
a blessed man, and an excellent interpreter of the Qur'an."
885-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that Ibn al-Hanifa, daughter of Abu Hanifa, said: "Ibn 'Abbas is
indeed the foremost gnostic and savant of this umma (nation of
believers)."
886-
Sa'ïd bin Jubair narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas said: "I was a young boy, when Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be
pleased with him, used to bring me along with him during the frequent
gatherings of the elders of Badr. One day, some of the elders objected to my
presence, and they said to Omar, 'Why do you have to bring this boy with you?
We too have young children!' Omar replied, 'He is one of those whom you have
learned about his notable fortune.' "
Ibn 'Abbas
further said: "According to my understanding, I think that he only brought
me there to confirm to them the gift which Allah, Blessed be His Name, has
bestowed upon me. When we sat down, Omar bin al-Khattab, God be pleased with
him, asked the people, 'How would you interpret the meaning of the Qur'anic
verse, < When the help of Allah comes, and victory is proclaimed. And when
you see people entering the religion of Allah in masses, then celebrate the
praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness, for surely He is
oft-forgiving. > (Qur'an 110:1-3)2’ Some of the people replied, 'In
this sura (chapter), we are commanded to praise Allah, the most exalted,
and to ask for His forgiveness when He grants us victory and triumph.' Others
remained silent, while some replied, 'We do not know!' Omar turned to me and
said, 'O Ibn 'Abbas, would you say the same thing?' I replied, 'No!' He further
asked me, 'Then how would you interpret it?' I replied, 'This was the
announcement of the end of the term of God's messenger upon whom be peace, in
this world. In this verse, Allah, most blessed is His name, announced, 4 When
the help of Allah comes, and victory is proclaimed.[XLIV]
> that will be the sign of the end of your term in this world. 4 Then
celebrate the praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness, for surely He
is oft-forgiving. > Omar, God be pleased with him, commented, T only know
the explanation which you have just offered.' "
887-
Ibn 'Abbas, God be
pleased with him, narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him,
was sitting with some of the elder Meccan émigrés, among other companions of
God's messenger upon whom be peace, and a discussion about the 'Night of Power'
took place. Omar listened as some of the elders debated and gave their opinions
and interpretations of this miraculous night, and as to which of the nights of
the of fasting month of Ramadan it denotes. Omar turned to Ibn 'Abbas and said:
"What happened to you O Ibn 'Abbas? Why are you silent? Say something. Do
not let your youth and respect for the elders prevent you from sharing your
understanding."
Ibn 'Abbas
then said: "O Prince of the Believers, surely Allah is One and unique, and
He likes odd numbers. In this respect, He, Blessed be His Name, also chose a
series of septets, and He made the week revolve around seven days; He created
the human being in seven stages; He made our livelihood depend on seven types
of elements; He created seven firmaments above us; and beneath us, He created
two earths, each one consisting of seven layers; He revealed the Opening
Chapter of the Qur'an, al-Fatiha, comprising seven couplets; He forbade
seven types of sanguineous marriages involving family members; He allotted a
universal division of inheritance to seven categories of relatives; and
furthermore, in paying obeisance during our prayers, we prostrate on seven
parts of our bodies; God's messenger upon whom be peace, circumambulated the
holy Ka'ba seven times; he further encompassed the distance between the
Hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, and he pelted Satan at Jamarat
seven times while proclaiming the glory of Allah as per His admonition in the
Qur'an. Therefore, I think that the 'Night of Power' must be one of the last
seven nights of the month of Ramadan. God knows best."
Omar, God be pleased with
him, was astonished by the elaborate exegesis Ibn 'Abbas presented, and he
commented: "No one had agreed with me with regard to the 'Night of Power,'
and as I heard it from God's messenger , upon whom be peace, except this young
boy whose hairline is not yet fully etched. Indeed, God's messenger upon whom
be peace, did say, 'Seek it during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.'
"
Omar, God be pleased with
him, then turned to the crowd of elders and said: "O ye people! Is there
amongst you anyone who can rehearse this exegesis as told by Ibn 'Abbas?"
888-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Abi Bakr al-Huthali said: "I once visited al-Hassan, son of
'Ali, God be pleased with both of them, and he said to me, 'Surely Ibn 'Abbas
has had such an unequaled and deep knowledge of Qur'anic interpretation. In
fact, Omar, God be pleased with him, used to speak of Ibn 'Abbas, saying, 'He
is the versed young spokesman of the elders. His tongue is most inquisitive,
and his heart fathoms best. He once stood up at our pulpit, — (or maybe Omar
said 'the eve of 'Arafa' during the pilgrimage season), — and he read Surat'ul
Baqara and Surat Al Imran (Qur'an, Chapter II and Chapter III), and he
explained them verse by verse to the senior pilgrims. — Indeed he was an
engaging speaker, and his copious and energetic words poured profusely with
eloquence, and with utmost clarity.'
889-
'Àmer al-Sha'bi narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "My father, al-'Abbas,
once said to me, 'My dear son, I noticed that the Prince and Commander of the
Believers, Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, often invites you to
visit with him, he also solicits your friendship, and requests your opinion, as
well as do other people among the wise companions of God's messenger &,
upon whom be peace. Therefore, I would like you to hearken to my words, and to
honor these three qualities, 1) Beware of Almighty Allah and do not let Omar
put your truthfulness to test; 2) never expose any of his secrets; and 3) do
not backbite anyone in his presence.' "
'Àmer then
said to Ibn 'Abbas: "By God, each one of these advisements equals one
thousand good deeds." Ibn 'Abbas replied: "I swear by Allah, the most
exalted, that these advisements are worth more than ten thousand good deeds
each!"
890-
'Akrama Ibn 'Ammar
narrated that following the Battle of the Camel, 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas said:
"When one of the tribes of dissenters boycotted and opposed the legitimacy
of 'Ali's reign over the Muslim caliphate, I said to 'Ali, 'O Prince and
Commander of the believers, allow me to forgo leading the next congregational
prayer, and give me permission to go and speak with these people, perhaps I can
find out what is troubling them!' 'Ali replied, T fear for your life!' Ibn
'Abbas said, 'Do not worry. God willing, nothing will happen to me.' "
Ibn 'Abbas
continued: "I had never met this tribe of people before, so I wore my best
Yemenite raiment, and I went to see the leaders of this group. I reached their
precinct during the peak of the mid-afternoon, and they were resting. I
therefore made my presence known, and I sought permission to see them. When I
entered, I saw a most descent gathering of people, and the marks of honor and
piety on their faces were salient from long nights of devotion; there hands
were callus, — like those of camels' hoofs, — from hard labor, and their faces
were radiant and had the imprints of long prostrations. As I was entering the
room, their elder said, 'Welcome, O' Ibn 'Abbas, what brings you here today?' I
replied, 'I have come to talk to you about the companions of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, who had received the divine revelation, and about which
they had the best of understanding.' "
"Some of
the people were upset, and they shouted, 'Do not talk to him!' Others said,
'Rather let's talk to him and find out what he has to say!' Hence, I sat down,
and I inquired, 'Tell me, what do you hold against the cousin of God's
messenger £0», upon whom be peace, his son-in-law, and who was the first
to believe in Trim among the early companions?' They replied, 'We disagree with
him on three main issues!' I asked, 'What are they?' They replied, 'First of
all: 1) 'He judges people by the law of God's religion, when Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory, says, 4 The judgment belongs to no one but Allah. He reveals
the truth, and He is the best of judges > {Qur'an 6:57).’ I asked,
'What else?' They replied, 2) 'He wars, but then he refused to take neither
prisoners nor war spoils! If such people he fights had in fact rejected the
truth (i.e., kuffâr), then their property would have been lawful to
plunder, and if these people are believers, then it would have been unlawful to
fight against them to begin!"'
Ibn 'Abbas
interjected: "And what else? " The people replied: 3) "He also
has ceded the title 'Amir ul-Mu'mineen’ (the Prince and Commander of the
believers), therefore, if he is not the Commander of the believers, then would
he be the commander of the unbelievers?"
Ibn 'Abbas
continued: "I said, 'Do you see! If I rehearse unto you excerpts from
God's Book, the meaning of which are clearly articulated and well defined, and
if I narrate to you some of the traditions of your prophet upon whom be peace,
as well, — sunna (traditions) which you do not refute, and all of which
support the sound basis of his actions, would you then agree to reverse your
position?' They replied, 'Indeed, we would!' I then said: "As to your
saying that he judges people by the law of God's religion when judgment belongs
solely to Allah, and to no one else! May I remind you that Allah the most
exalted says, f O ye who believe! Do not kill a hunt once you have entered the
sacrament of the pilgrims, whoever does so intentionally, he has to make an
offering of a domesticated animal in charity equal to the one he has killed, in
atonement, and which offering he must bring to the Ka'ba (for distribution to
the poor and the needy), and let two just men from among you judge him by the
book {hadyan) ... > {Qur'an 5:95). In another verse dealing with a
domestic dispute between a wife and a husband, Allah, the most exalted says,
< ... and if you fear estrangement that could lead to their separation, then
appoint (two) judges, one from her family, and one from his family; and if they
intend reform (for the better), then Allah will guide them to reconciliation.
Surely Allah is all-knowing, and well-acquainted > {Qur'an 4:35)."
Ibn 'Abbas
continued: "Now, I ask you in the name of Allah, and I plead with your
sound reasoning, tell me, is the need to judge between two people by the law of
God's religion with respect to sparing bloodshed, to save human lives, and to
foster peace and unity between men, less important to call for the arbitration
of a judge than to do so vis-a-vis the life of a rabbit worth one quarter of a
Dinar?" The people replied: "Indeed not! Surely it is more important
to seek arbitration to spare bloodshed, to save human lives, and to foster
peace and unity between people" Ibn 'Abbas then asked: "Then did I
fare correctly on this subject?" They replied: "Indeed you did."
Ibn 'Abbas
further continued: "As to your question referring to his warring against
the dissenters and refusing to take neither prisoners nor war spoils, now hear
me well, if you fight your own mother and plunder her property as you would
when you fight others, then in fact, you would have turned blasphemous kuffàr;
and if you claim that she is not your mother, then there too, you would
have surely apostatized and become atheistic kuffar . In fact, Allah,
the Lord of majesty and glory, says, < The prophet is more entitled to
direct the interests of the believers then they do, and his wives are their
mothers > {Qur'an 33:6). Now, it seems that you are vacillating
between two misguided stances, therefore, either choose one or the other! What
do you think, did I fare correctly on this subject as well?" They replied:
"Indeed you did."
Ibn 'Abbas
resumed his exposé: "As to your allegation that he has waived the title 'Amir
ul-Mu'mineen' (Prince and Commander of the believers), may I remind you
here of a similar episode, when on the day of the Truce of Hudaibiyya, God's
messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, called 'Ali to write down an agreement
between him and the contending Tribe of Quraish, and he said to 'Ali, God bless
his countenance, 'Write down, 'This is what Muhammad, the messenger of Allah,
has litigated as a covenant between him and the Tribe of Quraish ...'
Immediately, the leader of the Quraishi delegation interjected, 'Nay! By Allah,
if we knew that you were God's messenger, we would not have warded you and your
followers off the Sacred House, nor would we have fought you! Just write 'Muhammad,
the son of 'Abdullah.' God's messenger upon whom be peace, replied, 'By God Who
is my Witness, I am the messenger of Allah, and regardless of whether you belie
me or not.' Then he turned to 'Ali, God bless his countenance, and said, 'O
'Ali, write down, Muhammad, the son of 'Abdullah.' Now tell me, surely God's
messenger upon whom be peace, is better than 'Ali, God bless his countenance,
and yet, to break a fleeting impasse, and in order to score a peace treaty, he
agreed to satisfy the demand of the contenders. Hence, what do you think, did I
fare correctly on this subject as well? They replied: 'Yes indeed, you did.'
"
Narrating this incident,
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, added: "On that day, twenty thousand
men of that group desisted from their dissension, while four thousand persisted
in upholding their opposition, and they carried out their war against 'Ali, God
bless his countenance, and the believers."
891-
Sa'id bin Jubair narrated
that the caliph Mu'âwiya once received a letter from the Byzantine emperor,
Hiraclius (c. 575-641 C.E.), inquiring about three things, and in turn,
Mu'âwiya wrote a letter to Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, asking him to
clarify the meaning of, 1) The 'Lintel' (mijarra); 2) the 'Bow' (qaws);
and, 3) a unique place on earth, where the sun had risen only once, never
before that day, nor after which did the sun ever again rise thereupon?
In his reply to Mu'âwiya,
Ibn 'Abbâs, God be pleased with him, wrote: "1) As to the Lintel, this is
the main gate where the heavens will split open on the Day of Resurrection; 2)
as to the Bow, this is the safety frame of the earth, which prevents its
inhabitants from drowning; and 3) finally, as to the only place on earth,
whereupon the sun had risen only once, never before that day, nor after which
did the sun ever rise there again, that is the seabed, where the sea split open
before the Children of Israel, for them to cross during their flight from
Pharaoh and his army, and where Pharaoh's army drowned."
892-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated that a man went to 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him, and
asked him about the meaning of the verse indicating that 4 The heavens and the earth
were a seamless one piece each, and We caused them to cleave > (Qur'an
21:30). 'Abdullah bnu Omar looked around, and he pointed to an old man
sitting in the mosque, and said: "Go to that Shaykh and ask him, and then
come back and tell me what he says!" The man went and found that Shaykh to
be Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, and when he asked him the question. Ibn
'Abbas replied: "The heaven was a seamless one piece, and it did not rain,
and the earth was a seamless one piece, and it did not allow anything to grow
upon it. Hence, Almighty Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, caused them to
cleave, thus allowing the sky to rain, and the earth to sprout."
The man went
back to 'Abdullah bnu Omar and told him what he heard, 'Abdullah then
commented: "Indeed, Ibn 'Abbas is endowed with knowledge. He spoke the
truth, and they were thus." 'Abdullah also added: "I used to wonder
how bold is Ibn 'Abbas to offer Qur'anic interpretations, but now I know for
fact that surely he is endowed with knowledge."
893-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that Abi Salih said: "I once witnessed a gathering at the house
of Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, and if the Tribe of Quraish ever had to
take true pride in something, then this event should have been the one. On that
day, the crowds packed the entire narrow street leading to his door causing an
impasse, where no one was able to go forward nor was any one able to return to
his own house. I walked in, and I informed him about the flocks of people
standing outside his door, and I told him that they were seeking permission to
come in, and to present him with some pressing questions. Ibn 'Abbas, God be
pleased with him, asked me to get him some water to take his ablution, and
after I did, he sat down and said, 'Go to that door and say to the people,
'Whoever has questions about the Qur'an, or about any of its seven vernacular
phonetic roots (huriif), then come in and ask as much as you want.'
Hence, I went out to the people, and I gave them permission to enter, and the
first group of people kept on flocking into the house, until they filled the
main room as well as the entire house to capacity. Whatever they asked Ibn
'Abbas, he satisfied their thirst for knowledge, and he even expounded upon
their quest. When he finished answering their questions, he said to them, 'Have
compassion on your brethren who are still standing up outside on their feet.'
"
"The
people left, and Ibn 'Abbas turned to me again and said, 'Go to that door, and
call out, 'Whoever has questions about the Qur'an or about its interpretations,
then come in.' So I did, and I gave them permission to enter, and again, the
second group of people entered, and they filled the room and the entire house.
Whatever they asked him, he had the answer, and he further expounded on their
subject as well. When he finished answering them, he again said, 'Have
compassion on your brethren who are still standing up outside on their feet.'
"
"As soon
as the people left, Ibn 'Abbas turned to me and said, 'Go out and ask the
people, 'Whoever wishes to ask questions about halal (the lawful), haram
(the unlawful), or any other questions regarding understanding fiqh
(Islamic jurisprudence), then he may come in.' So I did announce to them what
he asked me to announce, and again, the people flocked into the house, until
they filled it and the room to capacity, and they began to pour out their
questions. Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, replied to each one of their
individual, personal, as well as general questions, and he further expounded on
the subject. When they had no further questions, he said to them, 'Your
brethren, your brethren! Have compassion on those who are still standing up
outside on their feet.' "
"The
people left, and Ibn 'Abbas turned to me and said, 'Give access to those who
have questions about the divine farâ'idh (ordinances), the like precepts,
or other related religious obligations,' and so I did, and the next group
entered, and they filled the house and the room to capacity, and no mater what
they asked him, Ibn 'Abbas had the right answer, as well as he further
expounded on the subject. Ibn 'Abbas then said to them, 'Your brethren, your
brethren! Have
compassion on those who are still standing up outside on their feet.' "
"Again,
after the people left, he turned to me and said, 'Give access to those who have
questions about the Arabic language, poetry, and any exceptional or uncommon
expressions.' So I did, and the next group entered, and they filled the house
and the room to capacity, and no mater what they asked him, he had the right
answer, as well as he further expounded on the subject."
The narrator,
Abi Salih, further said: "Therefore, if the entire Tribe of Quraish ever
wants to take true pride in something, then surely this extraordinary event
should be the one, for I have never witnessed such an audience gathering to
hearken to a man of this caliber since that day."
894-
'Atâ' narrated: "I
have never seen a house that has as much kitchen utensils and drinking cups
than the residence of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas."
895-
In another narration also
referring to the house of Ibn 'Abbas, 'Adiyy said: "I have never seen a
house that has more knowledge and bread than the house of 'Abdullah Ibn
'Abbas."
896-
Also in a similar
narration, 'Abdullah bin 'Abdu-Rahmân, son of Abi Hussain, said: "I have
never seen a more hospitable house with as much food, drink, fruits, and
knowledge, than that of the house of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with
him and with his father."
897-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas once wore a most expensive robe he bought for one hundred
Dinars.
898-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that a man once insulted Ibn 'Abbas who replied with utmost serenity and a
remarkable poise: "You have made me the subject of your insults, and yet,
I have three good qualities, 1) When I read a verse from the revealed Book of
Allah, I wish that everyone would get out of its meaning as much as I do; 2)
when I hear of a Muslim ruler or a judge, who has rendered a just verdict, I
become extremely happy for his justice, although, it is most probable that I
may never seek him for justice; 3) and thirdly, when I hear that it rained in a
distant Muslim land, I become extremely happy for its people, although I do not
have a single sheep grazing freely thereat."
899-
Sa'ïd bin Jubair narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once said: "Even should Pharaoh
say to me, 'May God bless you,' my reply will be, 'May God bless you as well.'
"
900-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Even should a mountain
infringes upon another mountain, the transgressing mountain will be leveled by
God's decree."
901-
Habib bin al-Hassan
narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Whenever lust,
lewdness, and contumacious sexual freedom dominate a society, then, the two
punishments, moutân (destruction and death) will ravage the land and
swipe the people by the multitudes."
902-
Sa'ïd bin Jubair narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Should you have to stand
before a man of awesome authority, or come before a tyrant you fear his
oppression, then pray, 'Allah is the greatest. Surely Allah is mightier than
His entire creation. Surely Allah is more powerful than what I fear, and what
causes me terror and fear. I seek refuge in Allah Whom there is no god but He,
Who holds the seven firmaments and prevents them from falling upon the earth
and crushing it, except by His leave. I seek refuge in Him from any evil that
may spur from His creation — so and so, — and from his subjects, followers, or
entourage of jinn or humans. My Lord, be my Neighbor, and protect me against
their evil. Most sublime ¡md majestic is Your approbation, and to place a
servant who beseeches Your protection under the banner of Your safety. Surely
Your neighbor is strong by You. Blessed is Your Name, for there is no God
except You.' " Ibn 'Abbas then added: "Recite this prayer
thrice."
903-
AI-Dhahhâk narrated that
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Whenever a servant says Bismillâh
(In the Name of Allah), he has thus remembered Allah. Whenever he says Al-Hamdu
Lillâh (All praises are due to Allah) he has thus thanked Him. Whenever he says
Allahu Akbar (Surely Allah is the greatest) he has thus glorified Him.
Whenever he says Là iLâha Il-Allah (Indeed there is no god except Allah)
he has thus testified to His Oneness. Whenever he says Là Hawla wa là
Quwwata ilia billah (Surely there is no will or power to effect anything
except by Allah's leave), he has thus accepted Islam, and he would have bought
his own salvation (Arb. Istislâm) with this testimony, a resplendent
light that will shine upon his face, and a magnificent treasure will be the
reward that awaits him in the heavenly garden of paradise."
904-
'Abdul-Hamid bin Ja'far
narrated that someone saw Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, eating the
fleshy seeds of the pomegranate fruit one at a time, and he asked him: "O
Ibn 'Abbas, why do you do that?" He replied: "It has come to my
knowledge, that there is not a single pomegranate tree on earth which flowers
are not pollinated by a pomegranate fruit from the heavenly garden of paradise,
and by doing so, I am constantly hoping that perchance, I will find and eat
that perfect seed!"
905-
'Amru bnu Ahmad narrated
that Hishâm bin 'Abdullah al-Râzi (who had lost his sight) was once invited to
dinner at the house of Ibn al-Hanifa, and during their meal, a locust fell dead
in his lap. Ibn al-Hanifa reached out and lifted it, and he handed it to Ibn
'Abbas, saying: "O nephew of God's messenger upon whom be peace, this
locust has fallen dead in our brother's lap." Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased
with him, looked at it and he firmly addressed 'Akrama: "O 'Akrama!"
He exclaimed: "At your command, sir!" Ibn 'Abbas said: "It is
written on the wing of this locust, in the ancient Assyriae language, 'I am
Allah. There is no God except Me, and surely there is no associate with Me.
Locusts are a division of My army, and they are subservient solely to My
command. I inflict them as a just punishment upon whosoever I intend among My
creation.' "
906-
Abi al-Jawzâ' al-Rab'i
narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once interpreted Allah's
saying: < The Day when neither wealth nor sons will avail one from Allah's
just requital, except for the one who comes before his Lord with a sound hearth
(Qur'an 26:88-89), the second verse of which refers to the Day of
Judgment, to mean: "One who attests to the truth of Là Ilâha il Allah (surely
there is no God except Allah)."
907-
Al-A'amash narrated that
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once interpreted the verse, < Allah
knows the deceptive tricks of the eye, > (Qur'an 40:19), saying:
"It means that whether you look at a women, coveting a hidden desire for
her or not, Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, knows that, < And He knows
what all the hearts conceal; > meaning, regardless of whether one can arrive
at committing adultery, or fails to fulfill his intention."
Al-A'amash reflected for
a moment about the meaning of what Ibn 'Abbas said, and perceiving a sense of
wonderment on the part of his listeners, Ibn 'Abbas quickly interrupted his
string of thoughts, and he added: "Wouldn't you like me to tell you about
the meaning of the next verse?" Al-A'amash replied: "Indeed!"
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, then read: "4 And Allah judges
with justice and truth > (Qur'an 40:20), meaning, that He has the
absolute and immutable power to justly reward good for good, and evil for evil;
and < As to those besides Him, some (people) call upon them to fulfill their
prayers, they indeed have no power to affect any judgment whatsoever. Surely
Allah is the One Who hears and sees everything)!" (Qur'an 40:20).
908-
Nâfi' Ibn Omar narrated
that someone asked Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him: "What was the sign
that affected the heart of Joseph?" (i.e., when Zulaikha, the wife of the
Egyptian minister, intended to seduce him, and) with passion, 4 She took hold
of him, and he took hold of her, > — and nothing could have stopped them
from committing such an evil and shameful act — < had he not seen the sign
of his Lord > (Qur'an 12:24)." Ibn 'Abbas replied: "When
Joseph realized that the woman was pulling him down with her and inducing him
to commit an evil act, he pulled out and sat down for a moment to cool his
urge. At that moment, a voice spoke captiously to him, saying, 'O Joseph, do
not become like the bird that once had feathers, and when it committed
adultery, it sat in hiding, having no feathers to cover itself!' " Hearing
that, Joseph, immediately, harried to the door to escape, but to no avail,
Zulaikha's husband was standing at the door ..." the story; Qur'an
12:25-27.
909-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once interpreted
the verse 4 O ye who believe (in God), govern with justice as the witnesses of
Allah > (Qur'an 4:135), he said: "This is similar to the case of
two men who come before a judge anticipating a just verdict, while in his
heart, the judge leans towards one party against the other."
910-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said:
"As the Day of Judgment nears, a voice will announce continuously, 'The
Hour of Reckoning is coming! The Hour of Reckoning is at hand!' Every living
and dead creature will hear that harbinger of the Hour calling. The caller will
also say, 'To whom does the kingdom belong today? It belongs to the One, the
All-powerful and Irresistible sovereign Lord.' "
911-
'Abdullah bin Omar
al-Ja'fi narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once gave a sermon
during the pilgrimage season, and he began by reciting Surat'ul Baqara
(Qur'an; the Cow, Chapter II), and which chapter he read verse-by-verse,
interpreting their meaning, and explaining their connotations. Hearing him, one
of the pilgrims called Shaqïq said to himself: "I have never seen or heard
a man speaking with such clarity of understanding and insight as he does. Even
should the entire nations of Persia and the Byzantine kingdoms hear him today,
they would surely accept Islam as their religion."
912-
Ishaq bin Bishr bin
Juwaybir narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "O
sinners! Do not feel immune to punishment for your sins, for such attitude is a
greater sin than the original one. When you do not feel ashamed of yourselves
before the two guardian angels who are situated at your right and left sides,
that too is a more awesome sin than the original one. To laugh after committing
a sin, not knowing what punishment is awaiting you is a more ominous sin as
well. To feel excited about what you have gained by committing your sin is yet
a greater sin. To feel sorrow for missing an opportunity to gain the forbidden
fruit of a sin, is again a greater sin. To feel apprehensive, or afraid, when
the wind blows against your window curtains, in fear of being exposed, is yet a
greater sin, and when your heart does not shiver, and dismisses the knowledge
that you are never away, not even for a fraction of a second, from the sight of
Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, — that is yet a more awesome sin! O
unfortunate ones! Do you understand what was the sin of God's prophet Job,
peace be upon him? Do you know why did Allah subject him to unbearable physical
afflictions and destroyed everything he owned? It is because Job had mainly
refused to help a poor man who sought his assistance to help him against an
injustice he suffered. Job failed to respond as one of God's prophets should
have done, and regarding that case, Job did not enjoin what is right and just,
nor did he reprove the offender concerning the rights of this poor man!
Therefore, Allah afflicted Job with awesome and unparalleled calamities."
913-
Wahab bin Munbih narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, was sitting in his house with some
visitors, when he was informed of an argument taking place between two groups
of people near the gate of the Tribe of Bani Sahm. Wahab added: "I believe
that they were arguing about fate," (Arb. qadar). Hearing that, Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, immediately handed his shepherd staff[XLV]
to 'Akrama, and he placed one arm over his shoulder, and the other arm he
placed over the shoulder of Tàwous, and along with the other visitors,
altogether, they hurried to where the gathering was taking place.
When they arrived, both
groups were happy to see him. They immediately opened the way to him, welcomed
him, and they invited him to sit down, but Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him,
preferred to remain standing up on his feet.
According to the
narration of Abu Shahâb, Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, then said:
"Pay attention to your best learned ones in this gathering!" Right
away, some of the people looked up to Ibn 'Abbas and moved closer to him, while
few others remained aloof. Ibn 'Abbas then added: "Don't you know that
Allah, the Most High, has servants who are silenced by neither dumbness nor
sickness, but rather, they remain silent in reverence to His majesty, and their
knowledge of His omnipresence, being the all-Hearing, and the all-Seeing Lord.
In fact, such are the true gnostics, the true knowledgeable ones, the most
eloquent speakers, the most concise explainers, the most noble ones among all
people, and they are most cognizant and vigilant of the days of Allah, the Lord
of majesty and glory. Every time they remember the majesty and glory of
Almighty Allah, their Lord, they lose their minds, their hearts become
shattered, and they become speechless. As soon as they regain their composure,
they hasten to Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, Blessed be His Name, and
they offer every noble deed and sincere devotion for the sake of His
pleasure."
914-
'Abdu-Rahmân bin Mahdi,
in his narration of the above incident, he quoted Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased
with him, to have also said: "They regard themselves as worthless
scapegrace who are wasting their unique opportunities in this world to satisfy
their own ephemeral indulgences, and yet, they are most exalted and strong in
their devotion. They see themselves as the companions of the unjust ones and
the damned sinners in hell-fire, and yet, they are the most true and sincere
worshipers of their Lord, and they are devoid of pretension. To their
perception, their unbounded offerings for the sake of God Almighty are never
enough, they accept no limitations for His sake, they do not put limits on what
is acceptable to please Him, and they do not parade their faith and understanding
so that no one would recognize their goals by their endeavors. They sit where
you regularly find them and wonder who are these people, or what are they doing
there! When you look at them, you find them industrious, concerned, solicitous,
tenderhearted, fearful of their Lord, reverent of His majesty, and they are
indeed most pious."
Having said
that, Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, then went back to his house in the
company of his guests.
915-
Sa'id bin Jubair narrated
that during a gathering at his house, Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him,
said: "I wish there is someone here who has knowledge of the guarded and
most sacred unseen fate (qadar), whom I would certainly seek to open his
brain and to find out what he knows!" Someone said: "Why is that?"
Ibn 'Abbas replied: "Because Allah, the most high, has created a most
sacred preserved tablet, and He made it of a white pearl. Its cover is made of
a red ruby, its pen is made of effulgent light, and its width stretches
in-between the heavens and the earth. Allah, most exalted is His Name, gazes
upon it three hundred and sixty times each and every single day. With one look,
He initiates a new creation, with another look, He gives a new life, and with a
third look, He causes death, and similarly, with each look, He raises the
status of someone, devalues that of another, He strengthens someone and
humiliates another, and throughout the entire day, He does whatever He
wants."
916-
Abi Ghalib al-Khalji
narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Persevere and be
coherent with the obligatory religious commands Allah has enjoined upon you,
and then, complement such farâ'idh (mandatory duties) with whatever
supererogatory performances He makes accessible to you, for such are His rights
upon you. Solicit His help in order to meet such obligations and pray to Him to
help you to offer them correctly, for nothing can prove the truthfulness and
sincerity of the servant's intention and his eagerness to receive Allah's final
comforting reward, versus one's struggle against what he may dislikes, except
the conclusion of his life in this world, and that will surely affect the
exposure of one's real intentions when he meets his judgment day Furthermore,
always remember that Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, is the supreme King,
and He does whatever He wants."
917-
Sa'id bin Jubair narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Allah, blessed be His
Name, has decreed, for each and everyone of His creation, a lawful share of
basic sustenance he needs in this world, and regardless whether such a person
is a true believer or an obdurate sinner and an atheist. If the servant awaits
to receive his share of lawful earnings with patience, Allah will deliver them
to him with His blessings, and if the servant becomes anxious, looses patience,
and lay hands on what is unlawful instead, Allah will subtract from his decreed
lawful share an equal amount to what he takes unlawfully, and about which he
will be reckoned on the Day of Judgment."
918-
'Akrama narrated that Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once commented on the verse, < Do people
think that they will be left to merely say, 'We believe,' and that (simply)
thus they could eschew the trials that bring their claims to questioning? > (Qur’an
29:2), saying: "In earlier times, Allah, blessed be His Name, would send a
prophet to a nation, and the prophet will dwell with them until the end of his
life in this world. Once Allah, the most exalted, takes back His prophet's
soul, some people would oppose any further revelations, and they would argue,
'We only follow the teachings of such prophet and the exalted character and
spiritual gifts God Almighty endowed him with.' Consequent to their claim,
Allah, Blessed be His Name, would subject them to adverse trials, and whosoever
among them holds firm to his beliefs, subscribes correctly to what God's
prophet brought them, and indeed follows his traditions, will prove to be
truthful, and whosoever wavers and acts otherwise will prove to be a
liar."
919-
'Ali bin al-Hussain
narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "Once upon a
time, there lived a man who did not believe in fate (qadar), and he
callèd it fallacy. Regarding other matters, the man appeared to be descent, and
he was kind to his wife and family. One day, the man visited the local
cemetery, and there he found a human skull on which it was written, 'Must be
burned and its ashes scattered in the wind.' The man placed the skull in a
basket, he took it to his wife, and he asked her to keep the basket in a safe place
for later. The man then treated his wife kindly before he took off on a short
business trip. During his absence, some neighboring women visited his wife, and
during their conversation, they said to her, 'O mother of so and so, how can
you say that your husband is kind to you? Tell us, did he leave you anything
before he went on his journey?' The wife replied, 'Indeed, he left me a basket
for safekeeping.' The women said, 'Of course, it probably contains the skull of
a woman he once loved!' The wife became angry, and in a jealous fit, she
brought out the basket and opened it to find out what it contained, and to her
surprise, she discovered the skull her women neighbors told her about. The
neighboring women further inquired, 'O mother of so and so, do you know what
you must do with it in order to nullify its effects on him? — You must burn it,
and then scatter its ashes in the air.' Immediately the wife took the entire
basket and put it to fire, and then she scattered its ashes in the air. Upon
returning from his journey, the husband found his wife upset, and somehow, in
the course of their conversation, he asked his wife about the basked, and she
told him what happened. Immediately the man shook in fear, and he exclaimed, 'I
believe in Allah, and I believe that fate is true.' "
920-
Al-Hassan narrated that
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "There was a man, before your
time, who lived a most pious life, and for eighty years, he devoted his entire
life to the worship of Almighty Allah, most exalted and blessed is His name.
One day, the man committed a single sin which act extremely distressed him, and
he feared the punishment of his Lord. Hence, he left his domicile and wandered
throughout the wilderness, the deserts, and the mountains, crying out, 'O mighty
wilderness, whose grains of sand are countless, whose thorny bushes are dense
and plenteous, whose wildlife is endless, and whose hillsides are enormous,
would you have a place for me to hide from my Lord, the Lord of Majesty and
glory?' The wilderness replied — by God's leave —, 'O man! I swear to Allah
that there is not a single weed of grass or tree within me which is not guarded
by an angel for its safekeeping up till the Day of Judgment, therefore, how can
I hide you from Allah, the omnipresent sovereign Lord, most exalted is He, Who
hears and sees everything?' The man left in despair, and he sought the ocean,
he stood in aghast at its shores, and cried out, 'O mighty ocean, whose water
is abundant, whose aquatic animals and plants are innumerous, would you have a
place for me to hide from my Lord, the Lord of Majesty and glory?' The ocean
replied — by God's leave —, 'O man! I swear to Allah, that there is not a
single pebble on my floor or beneath it, or a fish in my waters, that is not
guarded by an angel in charge of its safekeeping up till the Day of Judgment.
Where do you want me to hide you from Allah, the sovereign Lord, most exalted
is He Who hears and sees everything?' The man immediately ran away in fear and
in despair until he reached a mighty mountain. There again he stood up
terrified and he cried out, 'O mighty mountains! O skyscrapers whose caverns
and grottos are countless, do you have a place for me to hide from my Lord,
most exalted is He?' The mountains replied - by God's leave, - 'O man! We swear
to Almighty Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, that there is not a single
pebble or cavern within us, which is not guarded by an angel in charge of its
safekeeping up till the Day of Judgment! Where do you want us to hide you from
the Lord of the universe Who hears and sees everything?' The man stood
dumbfounded, and staggering in bewilderment, he remained thereat in worship,
offering penitence, asking for forgiveness for his sin, and soliciting God
Almighty's acceptance of his repentance until the end of his life when the
angel of death came to harvest his soul. At that juncture, the man cried out in
utter fear, 'My Lord! Take back my soul to evanesce, and take back my body to
annihilation, and do not ever bring me back to life on the Day of Resurrection
for judgment.' "
921-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that 'Abdullah bin Abi Malika said: "I once
traveled with Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, from Mecca to Madina. On the
road, halfway through the night, Ibn 'Abbas would descend his ride, and he
would stand up in prayers until dawn." Ayoub asked Abi Malika: "How
was his reading of the Qur'an?" He replied: "That night, he read from
sura(Qaf), and when he reached the verse, 4 And when the death stroke
came in truth and justice, (as promised, he was told), 'This is what you were
trying to evade! > (Qur'an 50:19). Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with
him, sobbed while repeating this verse over and over."
922-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that a man saw Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with
him, hold the tip of his tongue, before he let go of it and said: "Woe to
you, what an evil visitation will befall you if you do not take heed! Either
tell what is good and beneficial and you will win, or shut up and you will be
safe." The man said: "O Ibn 'Abbas. Why do I see you holding the tip
of your tongue, and saying to it such and such ...?" Ibn 'Abbas replied:
"It came to my knowledge that on the Day of Reckoning, nothing will cause
a man bitterness, rancor, and regret more than what his tongue had uttered in
this world!"
923-
'Akrama narrated that Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "To financially support an entire
Muslim family in need for a whole month, or even for a week, or as long as
Allah wills, is more dear to my heart than to attend the pilgrimage in Mecca,
year after year; and to offer a plate of food to a brother in Allah, blessed is
His Name, is more worthy to my heart than to spend a single Dinar in support of
a Jihad campaign for Allah's sake."
924-
Al-Dhahhâk narrated that
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him said: "When the Dinar and the Dirham
were first minted in the form of metal coins, Iblis, the first accursed Satan,
held them happily, he then placed them over his eyes and said to them, 'You are
the fruit of my heart, and the delight of my eyes. Through you, I will drive
people to become tyrants, I will cause them to become agnostics (kuffàr),
and lead them to hell-fire. I accept from the son of Adam if he would only
become attached to you, and worship you, and that's even if he would become
indifferent to the balance of the pleasures of this world.' "
925-
Sufyan al-Thawri narrated
that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, once said: "The human folks
(Arb. nâs) have gone, and what seems to remain are nothing but creatures
of the jungle."[XLVI]
Someone asked: "What do you mean by nasnâs?" Ibn 'Abbas
replied: "Those who imitate humans, but are not humans."
926-
Mujahid narrated that Ibn
'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said: "There will come a dark time when
people's sense of judgment will be suspended, and their brains will no longer
be able to function, to the point that one will not find a single person to
reason with."
927-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated that Mu'âwiya once said to Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with them both:
"You seem to be following the traditions of 'Ali!" Ibn 'Abbas
replied: "I follow neither the traditions of 'Ali nor those of 'Uthmân, I
only follow the sunna tradition of God's messenger lafc, upon whom be
peace."
928-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Abi Raja' once pointed to his cheek and said:
"Ibn 'Abbas's cheeks were marked with two deep lachrymal lines, the flow
of his tears had engraved."
929-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Tawous once said: "I have never met
someone who is more revering of the sacred limits Allah has made inviolable as
Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him. I swear to Allah, blessed is His name,
that at any single time, if I had to ponder upon Ibn 'Abbâs's overwhelming
reverence with respect to what Allah has made sacred, I would not
be able to control my crying."
930-
Hafs bnu Omar, Abu Omar
al-Barmaki narrated that Maimoun bin Mihràn said: "I witnessed the funeral
of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, at the city of Ta'if. When
his coffin was laid down for the funeral prayer, a white bird flew in, and
lighted on his body, and then, the bird entered in-between the layers of his
shroud. We immediately looked for the bird to let it out, but we couldn't find
it, and we gave up searching for it. Once we had finished the funeral prayer
and had laid the body in the grave, the entire congregation heard a distinct
voice, although no one was to be seen, reciting the verse, < O Peaceful
soul, return to thy Lord gratified to receive His blessings. Enter the ranks of
My blessed servants, and come into My paradise >" (Qur'an 89:30).
It is related
that spirituality also connotes courage when meeting with tribal arrogance
involving pride in number and possessions. In This section, God willing, we
will narrate few of the rare accounts of a heroic companion named 'Abdullah Bin
al-Zubair, God be pleased with him, a paragon of righteousness and a champion
of truthfulness, whose palate tasted a touch of the prophet's blessed saliva,[XLVII]
and whose spiritual fabric and example are surely a rare inspiration that
perhaps can enhance our clarity and heighten our understanding of this glorious
divine path of Islam.
'Abdullah Bin
al-Zubair, God be pleased with him revered the high honor and exalted station
of parenthood, he was regularly seen at the mosque standing up in prayers most
of his nights, and he was most observing of extra voluntary fasting year
around. 'Abdullah Bin al-Zubair also memorized the entire holy Qur'an by heart,
and he ritually trod on the heals of God's prophet upon whom be peace, as well
as he regularly sought the friendship of the most loyal, the blessed witness
and attestor to the truth of God Almighty, the blessed companion Abu Bakr
al-giddïq, God be pleased with him.
'Abdullah Bin
al-Zubair, God be pleased with him, is the son of Asma', daughter of Abu Bakr,
God be pleased with him, the sister of 'Aisha, God be pleased with her, the
loyal spouse of God's messenger upon whom be peace, as well as he was the
grandson of the prophet's aunt, Safiyya, God be pleased with her.
931-
Hishâm bin 'Urwa
narrated, re Fatima bint al-Munthir, that Asma' bint Abi Bakr was pregnant with
'Abdullah bin al-Zubair when she emigrated from Mecca to join God's messenger Ufa,
upon whom be peace, in Madina. Sometime after she arrived there, Asma', God be
pleased with her, gave birth to a boy, and even prior to nursing him, she
carried him to God's messenger upon whom be peace, to give him a name, and for
the newborn to receive his blessings. Upon her arrival to his house, Asma'
placed the newborn infant in his lap, and God's messenger upon whom be peace,
rejoiced as he held the infant, and asked members of his household to bring him
a dried date. It took the people nearly an hour to find one, and when they did,
God's messenger took a tiny piece of it, he chewed on it finely and inserted it
in the infant's mouth. God's messenger then named the boy 'Abdullah bin
al-Zubair, and he prayed for him. This was the first thing the infant tasted in
this world.
932-
Al-Hussain bin Muhammad
al-Harrani narrated that Um Ja'far bin al-Nu'mân, once visited Asmâ' bint Abu
Bakr after the martyrdom of her son, 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair, God be pleased
with him, and when his name was mentioned, Asmâ' said: "The son of
al-Zubair used to observe long nights in prayers, he fasted most of his days,
and he used to be called, 'The Pigeon of the Mosque."
933-
Habib bin al-Shahid
narrated that Ibn Abi Malika said: " 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair used to fast
a stretch of seven days at a time, besides observing perpetual night vigil in
prayers, and even on the seventh day of his demanding religious performance, he
would be physically the most fit among us, and he was our model to
emulate."
934-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi
narrated that Mujahid said: "Whenever 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair, God be
pleased with him, rose to prayers, he stood up motionless, just like a wooden
stick, and as though he was detached from the outer world, out of his
impeccable piety and intense reverence for God Almighty."
935-
Ibn Juraij narrated that
'Atâ said: "When Ibn al-Zubair stood up in prayers, he became deeply
absorbed, to the degree that one could compare him to a node of reed
stick."
936-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, God be pleased with him, narrated that Ibn al-Munkadir once
described 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair, God be pleased with him, in prayers inbetween
battles, he said: "When you saw Ibn al-Zubair praying, you would think of
a branch of a tree, moving only by the force of wind, while the shelled stones
of the mangonels from the enemy's side fell around him from every direction,
and yet, he never moved!"
937-
Abu Sa'id al-'Absi
narrated that Muhammad bin 'Abdullah al-Thaqfi said: "I heard a sermon
given by 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair during the pilgrimage season. He was still
wearing his pilgrim's garb (ihrâm) when he stood up on the eve of the
eighth day of the pilgrimage (tarwiya), and then, he began by resounding
the adequate revering hymns of the pilgrims (talbiya),[XLVIII]
Ibn al-Zubair then praised Allah, blessed is His name, and he acknowledged His
attributes of benevolence, then said, 'O ye people, you are the delegations who
have come from distant corners of the world, responding to Almighty Allah's
call, and surely He is the most worthy of honoring His delegations. Therefore,
whosoever came here to ask Allah for His bounty, indeed he has come to the
right place, his prayers will be fulfilled, and his efforts will not be in
vain. The proof of your words lies in your actions, your intentions must be
made clear, and your hearts must be pure. During these days, realize that the
proof of Allah is Himself. On these days, the sins of the penitents are
forgiven, and indeed, you have come from distant horizons, soliciting no
business, asking for no money, and intending no comfort in this world. In fact,
you have come this far, soliciting to receive what He has reserved for you by
responding to His call, and you will surely receive them.' "
Al-Thaqfi continued:
"Al-Zubair then closed his sermon by recalling the talbiya prayer
of the pilgrims, and the people repeated that after him form some time. I must
say here that throughout my entire life, never have I seen as many people in
tears of piety and joy as on that day."
938-
Sufyan bin 'Uyaina
narrated that 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair, God be pleased with him once said:
"When Allah revealed the verse 4 And on the day of your
resurrection for judgment, you will settle your disputes in the presence c your
Lord > (Qur'an 39:31), I asked God's messenger füí, upon whom be
peace, 'O messenger of Allah, will we on the Day of Judgment have to encounter
a replay of what took place between us in this world, including descriptions of
the nature of our sins?' He replied, 'Indeed, and you will hear that playback
until everyone is acquitted by paying back what he owes, and until everyone
receives justice.' "
939-
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal,
God be pleased with him, narrated that 'Abdullah bin al-Zubair, God be pleased
with him, said: "When Allah revealed the verse 4 And (on that Day), you
will be asked to account for (all) the blessings (you received in the world)
> (Qur'an 102:8), I asked God's messenger ■£=£, upon whom be peace,
'O messenger of Allah, what blessings will we be asked about? Surely we have nothing
here but water and palm dates!' He replied, 'Indeed, you will be asked about
that as well.' "
940-
A1-'Abbas bin Sahl, son
of Sa'ad al-Sâ'idi al-Ansâri, narrated that his father heard 'Abdullah bin
al-Zubair delivering a sermon at the sacred mosque in Mecca, during which he
said: "O people, God's messenger Î&, upon whom be peace, used
to say, 'If the son of Adam had a valleys filled with gold at his disposal) he
would desire to own a second one, and if he is to be given what he wants, he
would surely like to have a third one, although, nothing will eventually fill
the hollowness of the son of Adam but dirt (when he lies in his grave), and
Allah will show mercy to whoever repents (from greed).' "
Under the Canopy of
The Prophet's Mosque
The People of Suffa
arlier in this book, we spoke about the spiritual and ascetic nature (nusk),
and the applied devotion (fibâda) of some of the blessed close
companions of God's messenger Ufa, upon
whom be peace, who were
deeply engrossed in their worship and love for the one and sole Lord of the
universe, and who were most solicitous of His kindness and favors. We also read
confirming testimonies of some of the leading shaykhs,2 teachers, and eminent
Imams who were renowned for their truthfulness, devotion and constant
remembrance (zikr) of their «Lord.
From the aforementioned
testimonies, the reader must have recognized'that such unique and most pious
people are indeed the paragons of virtues, knowledge and deeds, as well as they
are the proof of guilt against those who are fascinated by this ephemeral world
and its deceptive attractions, and who bask in its pleasures and crave its
comforts.
In this section, God
willing, we will narrate few of the authentic accounts of another group of
extraordinary believers who also lived during the time of God's messenger upon
whom be peace, and whose character and devotion are testimonies that had to be
protected by several Qur'anic decrees, and which divine attestations were also
given to cast out any personal opinions regarding their ranks, faith,
spirituality, and trueness of their devotion. [XLIX]
[L]
The few testimonies we
are about to narrated were delivered or witnessed by a special group of people
who have resigned to their Lord, and they were free from attachment to anything
but His acceptance and to the everlasting favor of remaining in His nearness.
On the other hand, they recognized well that they cannot receive such blessings
without His shield to protect them against the mundane deceptive attractions
and calamitous fascinations which are the fabric of this ephemeral world.
Allah, blessed is His
Name, made them models of true asceticism and the apotheosis of trueness to
one's Lord for those who want nothing but Him (fuqara' ila-Allah), and
who are in constant need of His favors, and indeed, it is He that made the
chosen companions the paragons of knowledge and wisdom. In fact, the truism of ahlu
suffa was proven when they renounced the comfort of this world and lived in
utter abnegation of its pleasures. They had no family, children, or money. No
commerce or circumstances ever distracted them from their perseverance and
constant remembrance of their Lord, and hence, they dedicated their entire
lives to contemplation, worship, and penitence. They never regretted the
pleasures they renounced in this life, and they never rejoiced anything but the
strength they were endowed with to continue their striving for the ultimate
reward. Their utmost happiness was to be engaged in worshipping their beloved
Lord and Master, and their uttermost sorrow was to ever fail their test, or to
fall short of correctly performing what they committed their lives to do.
Such are the 4 Men whom
neither business nor trading can divert them from remembering Allah > (Qur’an
24:3.7). The material comforts they declined in this life did not drive
them to despondence, nor did they ever become confused by the lean portion they
took from it. Their Master and King protected them against the evil
consequences of indulging in the ephemeral pleasures of this world, and He
assisted them to live a pure and a simple life. Thus, He helped them to shun
off any attraction to the lures of committing injustices or becoming tyrants.
On their part, they refused to feel sorrow for themselves because of what they
missed in this world, and instead, they regarded it as insignificant and
passing, and they did not take pride of a company that is fated to return to
dirt.
941-
'Abdullah Ibn Wahab
narrated that 'Amru Bnul Harith commented on the Qur'anic verse 4 Should Allah have
expanded the portion allotted to His servants (in this world), they would
definitely fill the land (they can have control over) with injustice^ {Qur'an
42:27), and referring to the people of suffa, He said that, 4 This
is because they said, 'If we only had such and such...'> {Qur'an 26:102 1
39:58), and perhaps on their part, they may have once desired the comfort
of this world."
942-
'Abdullah bin al-Mubarak
narrated that Abi Hâni said: "I heard 'Amru bnu Harïth say that this verse
was revealed concerning the people of Suffa, and perhaps at one time
they had some inclinations and desire for the world. He then recited the verse,
< Should Allah have expanded the portion allotted to His servants (in this
world), they would definitely fill the land (they can control) with injustice.
Hence, He allots their portions in balanced measures as He wills, for surely He
is well acquainted with His servants, and He sees everything. > {Qur'an
42:27).
Al-Hâfiz Abu Na'im
al-Asfahani, God bless his soul, in his commentaries about ahlu suffa,
said: "Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, moved their focus away from
the world. He made the world look insignificant and small in their eyes.
Furthermore, He restricted their access to it in order to protect them against
its lures, and to help them eschew transgression and injustices against their
own souls or others. Hence, He kept them guarded under the shield of His
protection, He lightened their burdens, and guarded their focus against
aberrations, so that no wealth in this world could inhibit their concentration
and dedication to worship Him, and nothing could lure their hearts or drive
them to abandon their stations."
943-
'Abdu-Rahmân bnu Abi Bakr
narrated: "The people of suffa were mostly poor, and God's
messenger upon whom be peace, used to say, 'Whosoever can afford to prepare a
meal for two people, should apportion a share to feed a third person,[LI]
and whosoever can afford to prepare a meal for four people, should apportion a
share for a fifth or a sixth person and take it to them.'"
'Abdu-Rahmân bnu Abi Bakr
then said: "On that evening, Abu Bakr al-Siddi'q, God be pleased with him,
prepared a meal for three people and he took it to the mosque, while God's
messenger upon whom be peace, prepared enough food for ten people."
944-
Mujahid narrated that Abu
Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "God's messenger -S&,
upon whom be peace, once came by me and said, 'O Aba Harr!' I replied, 'At your
command O messenger of Allah.' He continued, 'Run to the people of suffa
and invite them to share this meal with us.' " (C/. 69:1025)
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, continued: "The people of suffa are the guests of
Islam, they had no home or family to go to, nor did they have any money or
possessions. Whenever God's messenger received a collection of charities, he never
took anything for himself, instead, he immediately sent them in their entirety
to the people of suffa. However, whenever he received a gift, he took a
small share of it for his family, and he sent the balance to them."
945-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated that Talha bin Omar said: "Whenever someone new came to Madina to
see God's messenger upon whom be peace, and if he had an acquaintance, he would
stay with him, or if someone recommended him to a family, he would stay with
them, otherwise, he stayed at the mosque in the company of the people of suffa.
It happened that when I arrived to Madina, I stayed at the mosque of God's
messenger ££, in the company of the people of suffa, and everyday, a man
came to the mosque, accompanied with two porters carrying a load of palm dates
for our basic needs."
946-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that when Fatima, God be pleased with her, gave birth to al-Hussain,
she went to her father, God's messenger upon whom be peace, inquiring: “O
messenger of Allah, do I have to I offer two sheep as 'Aq'iqa for my
newborn son?" He (knowing her financial strait at that time) replied:
"Just shave his head and donate a charity equal to the weight of the
babe's hair in silver to the overflowing number of visitors and to the
indigents to share among themselves."
947-
Muhammad bin Ahmad bin
al-Hassan narrated that Fadhâla bin 'Ubaid said: "God's messenger £&,
upon whom be peace, would be leading the congregational prayers, when suddenly
one or more people from among the visiting Arabs (i.e., ahlu suffa)
would blackout and fall on his face out of hunger and exhaustion, and some
local Arabs would comment, 'May be he is possessed!"'
948-
'Abdullah bin Wahab
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "Among ahlu
suffa there were at least seventy men who were extremely poor and did not
have even a single large enough robe to cover themselves!"
949-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "I
stayed with ahlu suffa for sometime, and one day, when God's messenger
upon whom be peace, sent us some dried dates, we were so hungry, and I took two
dates at a time. When my companions noticed that, I turned to them and said,
'It is all right if you eat two dates at a time, for I am eating them like
that.'"
950-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that one day after the fajr dawn prayers, God's messenger upon
whom be peace, came and he inquired from the people of suffa, saying:
"How are you doing this morning" They replied: "Well."
God's messenger
upon whom be peace, said:
"Indeed you are well today, but a day may come, when you maybe served one
plate of grapes after another fruit is served, and when you will decorate your
homes extensively and drape their walls and windows (to exhibit a grandiose
look) with material fit for the Ka'ba!"
Amazed by his statement,
the people of suffa asked: "O messenger of Allah, will we ever
corné upon such status in this world, and yet remain observant of our religious
practices?" He replied,: "Yes, somehow you will!" The people of suffa
then rejoiced and said: "Then this should be good for us, and should we
live to see such a day, we will surely be generous in our charities, and we
will free slaves from bondage!" God's messenger Ufa, upon whom be
peace, pondered for a moment and he then said: "Nay! Surely you are better
today. When such a day comes, you will have developed jealousy and perfidy
towards one another, you will be divided with indifference towards one another,
and you will even grow enmity and hatred towards one another."[LII]
951-
In another narration of
the above account reported by Abu Yahya al-Ràzi that al-Hassan said: "One
day I built an extension to the canopy for the poor visiting Muslims, and as
soon as I completed my work, and without any hesitation, all the Muslims of
Madina proceeded to supply its dwellers with generous contributions and to the
best of their means. Every morning, God's messenger ÍÍ, upon whom be peace,
used to pass by the dwellers of suffa and say, 'Peace be upon you, O
people of suffa.' They would reply, 'And peace be upon you, O messenger
of Allah.' He would then inquire, 'How are you doing this morning?' Their reply
was, 'We are well, O messenger of Allah,' and he would comment, 'Surely you are
better today than the day when you will be served with one tray of fruit after
another, and when you will wear one garment in the morning and another one
later on in the day, and when you will drape your homes like the Ka'ba!' The
people of suffa commented, 'Then it is fine when Allah, the most exalted
showers us with His gifts, and we should then be extremely grateful!' God's
messenger áfc, upon whom be peace, replied, 'Nay! Surely you are better
today!'"
The number of
people who resided under the suffa of the mosque of God's messenger upon
who be peace, varied depending on times of the year and conditions. At times,
the visitors to Madina were fewer in number, and sometimes, the number of
tribal delegations compounded, and mostly, they too had to stay at the mosque.
However, in general, the regular inhabitants of the suffa at the
prophet's mosque were poor people and ascetics who chose to remain near unto
him, and to leave the world behind them. They were known to be poor and to have
nothing, and often, none of them had more than a single robe, and rarely did
any of them sampled more than a single meal per day.
953-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said:
"I saw seventy people from ahlu-suffa in prayers, each of them
having a single robe only and no cloak to cover it. Some wore a worn out jubba,
others had it a little too big, while some had it so short that it barely
covered beneath their knees, and when one of such people would bow in ruku'
(obeisance), he would gather up his garment and hold to it tight in fear that
parts of his body maybe exposed."
954-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated that Muhammad Ibn Seerin, God be pleased with him, said:
"Whenever God's messenger upon whom be peace, retired for the evening, it
was customary that each one of the companions would invite one of the dwellers
of suffa to his home to share a meal. Some invited two, some invited
three, and perhaps up to ten people at a time, and so forth, each according to
his means, except for Sa'adu bnu 'Ubâda, who used to bring his family up to
eighty guests at a time to feed them."
955-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi
narrated that 'Uqba bnu 'Âmer said: "Some of us periodically stayed at the
mosque along with the people of suffa, and one day, God's messenger upon
whom be peace, came out of his house and said to us, 'Who amongst you would
like to go out daily to the plains and to come back home with two wholesome
camels, all lawful, without a sin in doing so, and without a quarrel in his
household?' We replied, 'O messenger of Allah, surely we would all like to do
that!' God's messenger upon whom be peace, further said, 'Then why wouldn't one
of you-make an extra effort to come regularly to the mosque before dawn, and to
learn even a couple of verses from the Book of Allah, or merely read a couple
of verses from it, and that would be more advantageous than his daily bringing
home two, three, or four camels, or even any number of camels for that
matter?'"
The above narration of
'Uqba states clearly that God's messenger upon whom be peace, used to instruct
the people to avoid and to desist from occupying themselves with worldly
concerns, or to wish for worldly material success. It also indicates that he
áfc also directed them to seek what is more befitting to their status as
believers and as God's people, and that which is more soothing to their hearts
and minds. God's messenger ££ also instructed the companions to constantly
remain in a state of remembrance (zikr) of Allah, the return of which
endeavors is a must to develop clarity, understanding, and to behold His light,
and only thus can they be protected against danger and eventual ruination in
this world. Furthermore, engaging in zikr, the remembrance of Allah,
will occupy their minds and hearts from unwarranted insinuations and mental
suggestions which otherwise would cloud their innermost secret soul (sirr)
and their most needed focus on their more serious path involving their duty
towards their Creator, and shortly after that, the required mandatory standing
before Him for reckoning on the Day of Judgment.
956-
Rabfa bin Abi
'Abdu-Rahmân narrated that Anas bin Malik said: "One day, Abu Talha came
to the mosque, and he found God's messenger upon whom be peace, standing up and
rehearsing the Qur'an to the people of suffa, and Talha also that God's
messenger
had tied a stone under
his belt to control his hunger. The people had a single concern and reason for
congregating at the mosque, and that was to understand in depth the meaning of
the message revealed in the Book of Allah and to learn it, and their appetite
could only be satisfied by regularly hearing the resonance of the divine
speech."
957-
Ja'far bin Muhammad bin
'Amr narrated that Abi Sa'id al-Khidri, God be pleased with him, said: "We
were a group of poor Muslims who lived under the suffa canopy of the
prophet's mosque, and we spent our time studying the Qur'an at the hand of a
man from among us who also regularly prayed to Almighty Allah on our behalf.
One day, God's messenger upon whom be peace, came by us, and he saw our
condition. I assumed that God's messenger did not know any of the present
people by name, and when the people saw him coming, they felt reverence, and
some of them even tried to hide behind the others to cover up some shame they
felt about their torn out rags. God's messenger upon whom be peace, then
pointed out and invited the people to form a circle around him, and when they
did, he asked them, 'What were you studying?' They replied, 'This man was
reading the Qur'an for us, and he also prays for us!' God's messenger sat there
for a moment, and he then said, 'Go back to what you were doing,' and before we
left, he prayed, 'All praises are due to Allah Who made among my followers a
group with whom I am commanded to constrain myself and to keep my soul content
in their company.' (cf. Qur'an 18:28) He then added, 'Let the poor ones
among the believers hearken to the glad tidings that they will enter the
heavenly paradise five hundred years before the rich ones. The poor ones will
be enjoying its blessings, while the rich ones will be facing their
reckoning.'" [LIII]
958-
In another narration of
the above account, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, God bless his soul, narrated that
Thâbit al-Banâni said: "Salmân al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, was
once sitting in a group of people at the mosque remembering Allah when God's
messenger ££, upon whom be peace, came by. When the people saw him, they
immediately stopped. He asked them, 'What are you doing?' They replied, 'O
messenger of Allah, we regularly gather here to remember Allah, and to
celebrate His praises.' God's messenger then said, 'Continue to do what you
were doing, for I saw the divine mercy descending upon you and I wanted to come
here and to share with you what I saw.' He then added, 'All praises are due to
Allah Who made among my followers a group with whom I am commanded to constrain
myself and to keep my soul content in their company.' 7,1
&&&&$
The achievers of such
status and honor of poverty have signs, and those who follow in their
footsteps, up to and beyond the hour of resurrection, are surely the princes of
faith among the believers. The truthful banners of their commitment cannot be
denied, their innermost hearts are a monumental witness and are filled with the
omnipresent divine truth, for indeed, the Omnipresent, the allHearing, and the
all-Seeing Lord is their divine Guardian and Guide, and His most blessed
messenger upon whom be peace, is their ambassador and monitor. In fact, such
blessings are the luck of the few privileged ones who eagerly renounce the
comfort of this world, and unrelentingly challenge its arrogance and deceptive
nature.
To their credit, the true
ones anxiously seek the ulterior permanent comfort and perfection of the
hereafter. Their desires spew up the harmful effects one acquires from drinking
in the cup of this unreal and grossly false ephemeral world, they
uncompromisingly reject its entertainment and pretentiously ornate deceptive
games. Furthermore, the true believers are mere spectators who attentively
observe the magnificent and all-encompassing perfect work of the permanent
omnipotent Lord of the universe. They sense the inevitable coming of what is
next; — that is the permanence of the hereafter, wherein, they eagerly desire
the never ending and most lasting satisfaction in the nearness of the Lord of
the universe. They continuously contemplate the divine promise of the most
glorious visit of their Lord in the heavenly paradise, and the everlasting
sublime satisfaction therein of gazing upon His most effulgent and magnificent
divine countenance.
To have such clear goals
and, God willing, in order to attain them, how can one achieve such blessed
station unless he accepts the divine choice for him, to experience such
yearning and to renounce anything but Him? Surely one must be most content with
Allah, blessed is His Name, that the magnificent and most exalted One has
chosen poverty for him in this transient short-lived world, and He has
lightened his burden through this short journey to allow him to attain
inexhaustible wealth and ever lasting comfort in the hereafter. In fact, Allah,
blessed is His Name, chose to strip his servant's real needs of anything but
Him, and to drive his focus and yearnings exclusively towards Him, while firmly
guarding his heart against failure or distraction. What a blessings! This is
the effective channel which protects the hearts and keeps them pure, and this
is the channel that elevates the servant to gather among the blessed ones, the
meek and the poor ones in the heavenly paradise, and this is indeed a most kind
and subtle divine treatment which is destined exclusively for the true ones who
are free of ostentatiousness, and who, even in this world, are nigh unto their
Lord, blessed is His Name. Such people take true advantage of their time, they
avoid mixing with addled and confused people, they guard their precious moments
against pacifying the prejudiced minds of those who refute the functionality of
the Divine Attributes, and they ardently strive towards dealing exclusively
with the Lord and Sustainer of the entire creation, — thus emulating the wise
and faithful pious traditions of the sire of all the ambassadors and messengers
of the Almighty Lord, Allah's most blessed messenger, and the seal of His
prophets, Muhammad ££, upon whom be peace.
959-
Muhammad bin 'Uthmân
al-Wâsiti narrated that Ibn 'Abbas, God be pleased with him, said:
"Whenever God's messenger upon whom be peace, liked someone's character
and intentions, he would order him to spend more time in supererogatory
prayers."[LIV]
Indeed, the true ones
have sought shelter under the suffa (canopy) of the prophet's mosque,
and they made it their designated resting stop. Thereat, they received the
blessings and protection it receives from the Lord of the divine Throne. The
archangel Gabriel descended regularly upon the prophet's mosque to bring the
divine revelations, and thereat, within its blessed sanctuary, myriads of
angels and heavenly beings descend from the highest heaven to pay their
respect, to pray, and to invoke special blessings upon God's messenger upon
whom be peace, and upon his followers, and thus it will be until the Day of
Resurrection. Hence, the suffa of God's prophet's mosque will always be
the believers' sanctuary, and its pietistic environment cleanses them of their
turbidity, it washes away the opacity of their minds, and it helps the
exaltation of their souls in rank.
Within the compounds of
their blessed sanctuary, and during their extended retreat, not even a speck of
imperspicuity ever clung to their minds or cluttered their understanding to
falter their devotion, or to impede their spiritual progress. In fact, such
highly blessed and exalted surroundings became a shield that protected them
against temptations that otherwise attract the inexperienced and the
feebleminded, or temptations that seduce the thirsty and solicitous of
ephemeral worldly pleasures and its erroneous deception. Therefore, the true
ones were endowed with strong faith and determination to accept the gift of the
divine guardianship, and to abide without wavering in the company of God's
messenger upon whom be peace, and to mingle with his blessed and wise
companions. Such was what the awesome God prepared them to cherish. Hence,
their abode was the transitional garden (rawdha) of bliss in this world,
and in a spiritual sense, their drink was drawn from the paradisiacal river of
tasneem, < A source from which the near ones (to their Lord) drink > (cf.
Qur'an 83:27).
960-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God bless his soul, narrated that Abi Salih commented on the
meaning of the verse, < Their drink is drawn from (the river of) Tasneem...)
(Qur'an 83:27), saying: "This is the most blessed and exhilarating
drink in paradise. To the near ones, it nurses their souls with the divine
inspiration, and to the common people of paradise, it stimulates and enchants
their spirit."
In truth, if we were to
inquire in more details into the real lineage and origin of the people of suffa,
we must not fail to realize that in fact these special blessed people have come
from the most noble ancestry and the most renowned tribes. They have come from
the furthest corners of the world, and they traveled away from their homes,
they relinquished their social status, they bid farewell to their families,
they forsook their worldly pleasures and comforts, and they sought the company
of God's blessed messenger and the seal of His prophets Muhammad, upon whom be
peace.
Guided by divine
inspiration, the inhabitants of suffa, the noble guests of the prophet's
mosque made that decision, — which ultimately proved to be the Magnificent and
Awesome God's own choice, — and although they may have lived under the canopy
of the prophet's mosque, and appeared as the poor ones and the unknown, and
while they were sometimes treated as foreigners, homeless, and needy, towards
whom some people were most critical, and sometimes, others provided them with
the leftover of their food, they in fact, the people of suffa, had surely
gathered under the most awe-inspiring conditions that provided their true
spiritual nourishment and enhanced the status of their spiritual nearness to
their Lord, and they were the elite and the choice of God Almighty Himself, as
they embodied the devout souls of the perfect believers.
Their real cloak was made
of effulgent light, and their utmost pleasure and spiritual nourishment
consisted of invoking, celebrating, and cherishing the divine attributes. In
reality, they cherished nothing in this world other than being under the canopy
of the prophet's mosque upon whom be peace, and their temperaments could not
adjust to a better quiescence than that of being physically in the proximity of
God's messenger upon whom be peace, stationing at the threshold of his door.
Their essence, their innermost souls, and their faces were resplendent with the
light of the divine gift, and they were purified by their invocation,
gratitude, and constant yearning to attain the promised ultimate award. They
tore themselves apart from the illusioned ones about the attractions and
deceptive comfort of this world, and they remained absorbed in their worship
and in their unrelenting focus upon their Lord. They were the exclusive subject
of the divine guardianship, and they were sustained at an irrecoverable range
from the company of those who bask in convivial functions for mere
entertainment and distraction, and others who gather in oblivion of reality but
to their own detriment.
The true ones forsook
what is built to be destroyed, — a downgraded version of the original creation,
— and they renounced the ephemeral comfort and pleasures which are the real
cause of one's ultimate downfall. They discarded the company of an avowed enemy
whose perfidy he does not hide, and they were never complaisant in their
determination to defend their faith. To do so, they sought refuge and
protection in the divine guardian Lord Himself, Who alone can repel such
adversities.
As to their material
comfort in this world, the people of suffa had nothing to cover
themselves with but mere rags. They were satisfied to be the witnesses of the
dawn (falaq) as it breaks, and they were content to solicit none but
their Creator and Lord. They worshipped no one besides Him, they associated no
one with Him, and they subsisted purely upon His love and blessings. The
heavenly angels desired and sought their company, myriads of angels descended
from the highest heavens to worship the awesome Allah in the blessed ambiance
of the prophet's mosque, and in the company of his blessed companions. God's
messenger upon whom be peace, was commanded to constrain himself with them, to
keep his soul content in their company, to sit with them, and to share the
divine blessings with them, for thus only were they able to satisfy their
yearning for their Lord, and to serve their spiritual journey.
961-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi
narrated that Khabâb bnul-Art once spoke in reference to the Qur'anic verse, 4 Do not segregate or evict
(from Allah's House) those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking
His countenance ... > (Qur'an 6:52), and he spoke of two people,
Al-Aqra' bin Hâbis and 'Uyaina bin Hisn al-Fazâri, who once harbored hypocrisy
and often fought and betrayed the believers, and who primarily embraced Islam
for ambitious selfish reasons, but later on, and by the grace of Almighty
Allah, they were guided to true Islam after they repented to the Allah, the
magnificent Lord, and Who, in His divine compassion, called them in another
Qur'anic verse, al-mu'allafati quliibuhom.1 (i.e., those
whose hearts have recently been reconciled to the truth.)
Khabâb bnul-Art said:
"Al-Aqra' bin Hâbis and 'Uyaina bin Hisn al-Fazâri once came to the
mosque, and they found God's messenger upon whom be peace, sitting in the
company of Bilal, 'Ammar, Suhayb, and Khabâb (himself), along with other
believers from among the poor and the meek who were known as the dwellers of suffa.
When al-Aqra' and 'Uyaina saw that, they despised the group, and they requested
a private audience with God's messenger upon whom be peace, and they initially
spoke to him with utter disrespect regarding the class of his company,
indicating, 'We want you to grant us a special set of rules concerning who sits
with you when we come here. Make that a rank which will become recognized by
the dignitaries among the various delegations of Arab tribes, besides others,
who come to see you, so that they would recognize our status in this city. In
fact, delegations of various noble tribes come regularly to see you, and we
feel ashamed that they should see these paupers and slaves sitting in our
company! Hence, when we come to see you, ask these people to leave, and when we
take off and get back to our businesses, then you may sit with them as much as
you want!' " God's messenger replied, 'Let it be so!'[LV]
[LVI]
The two men delighted that their condition was accepted, and they hastily
demanded, 'Then write down your promise and make it an official decree!' "
The narrator, Khabâb
bnul-Art, continued: "We were all sitting there observing the ramifications
when God's messenger upon whom be peace, asked 'Ali to bring a paper to write
on, but suddenly, the arch angel Gabriel, peace be upon him, descended bringing
the divine revelation, 4 Do not segregate or evict (from Allah's House) those
who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance. You are
not accountable for them, nor are they accountable for you, and should you turn
them away, you would have committed an extreme injustice > (Qur'an 6:52).
"In His revelation,
Almighty Allah then mentioned al-Aqra' bin Hâbis and 'Uyaina bin Hisn
al-Fazàri, saying, < And thus We put to trial (the faith and character of)
some people verses others (to frustrate their vainness), so that they will come
to (hear themselves) say, 'Are these the people whom Allah chose to favor over
us?' Alas, Does not Allah know best those who are truly grateful (from those
who are not)? Therefore, when those who believe in Our signs come to see you,
say, 'Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself to favor you with
His mercy, and that should any of you commit a wrongdoing out of ignorance, and
then repents and amends his act, he will surely find Allah oft-forgiving and
most compassionate > (Qur'an 6:53-54)"
"God's messenger
upon whom be peace, immediately discarded the paper 'Ali had just brought, as
he called us to himself, and he kept on looking at us, as he cheerfully greeted
us, 'Peace be upon you, peace be upon you.' Hence, we happily drew closer and
nestled by him, and we blithesomely sat so tightly close to him to the point
that our knees touched his knees."
"From that day on,
God's messenger upon whom be peace, kept us in his proximity and under his
direct watch; he regularly sat with us, and whenever he needed to attend to his
other duties, he simply left us. This joyous privilege went on until the day
when Allah, the Lord of majesty and glory, revealed His command, < Apply
yourself with patience to remain in the company of those who call upon their
Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance. Keep them constantly under
your watch, and do not let your focus dither beyond their circle. Do not
solicit (the company of those who seek) the pump and glitter of this lower life
(form); Nor obey anyone whose heart We have made unaware of Us, and We caused
them to forget to remember Us, those who follow their own whims and desires,
and whose condition have degenerated to the point that it can only effect their
ultimate loss. >(Qur'an 18:28)"
Khabàb commented:
"The above verse refers to al-Aqra' bin Hâbis and 'Uyaina bin Hisn
al-Fazâri. Almighty Allah then spoke of the parable of two men and their quest
for the world, and He directed His blessed messenger <gi, upon whom be
peace, to reply, < Say: 'The truth comes from your Lord.' Let whosoever
wants to believe in it, believe in it, and let whosoever wants to reject it,
reject it. Surely, we have prepared for the unjust ones a fire whose (smoke and
blazes) will hem them in like a corridor whose walls and roof stand high
(beyond reach). Therein, if they scream for relief, they will be given water
like melted brass that will scald their faces. Alas, what a dreadful drink it
is, and how uncomfortable is such couch to recline on! As to those who believe
(in Our message) and who do righteous deeds, We surely do not leave unrewarded
the work of someone who does good. Such ones will be rewarded with gardens
beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they will be adorned with bracelets of
gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and brocade, and therein,
they are consoled in safe havens, — Aah, what a gratifying reward, and how
comfortable is such a couch for reclining! > (Qur'an 18:29-31')."
Khabâb added: "Since
that revelation, we enjoyed sitting all day long in the company of God's
messenger upon whom be peace, and when we recognized the hour in which he
usually attended to his other duties, we asked to be excused, and thus allowed
him to attend to his other duties, otherwise, he would sit with us forever, and
until we had all retired, and only then would he turn to his other
duties."1
962-
In another narration of
the above tradition, Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan narrated that Salmân al-Fârisi, God
be pleased with him, said: "Al-mu'allafati quliibuhom (those whose
hearts were recently reconciled with the truth),[LVII]
[LVIII]
once came to the mosque along with others of their class, and they sought a
private audience with God's messenger upon whom be peace. Their leader said, 'O
messenger of Allah, why wouldn't you sit regularly on an exclusive raised chair
in the forefront of the mosque, and meanwhile, ask these people and their
foul-smelling jubba (mantels)[LIX]
to pull away from us into a furthermost corner (of the mosque), so that we can
hearken attentively to your teachings and learn from you!' "
It is then that Allah,
the Lord of majesty and glory, sent down the revelation, < (Just) rehearse
(to them) what is revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. Nothing can ever
change His Words, and you will not find refuge except in Him! Apply yourself with
patience to remain in the company of those who call upon their Lord morning and
evening, seeking His countenance. Keep them constantly under your watch, and do
not let your focus dither beyond their circle. Do not solicit (the company of)
those who seek the pump and glitter of this lower life-(form); nor obey anyone
whose heart We have veiled and caused to forget to remember Us. Those who
follow their own whims and desires, and whose condition has degenerated to the
point that it can bring about their ultimate loss. Say: 'The truth comes from
your Lord,' hence, whosoever wants to believe in it, let him believe in it, and
whosoever want to reject it, let him reject it. Surely We have prepared for the
unjust ones a fire whosè (smoke and blazes) will hem them in like a corridor
whose walls and roof stand high (beyond reach). Therein, if they cry out for
relief, they will be given water like melted brass that will scald their faces.
Alas, what a dreadful drink it is, and how uncomfortable is such couch to recline
on! As to those who believe and do righteous deeds, surely We do not leave
unrewarded the work of someone who does good. Such ones will be rewarded with
gardens of eternity beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they will be adorned
with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and
brocade, and therein, they are consoled in safe havens, — Aah, what a
gratifying reward, and how comfortable is such a couch for reclining! > (Qur'an
18:27-31)."
Salman al-Fârisi, God be
pleased with him, continued: "Immediately, upon receiving this revelation,
God's messenger upon whom be peace, stood up and left the circle, and he went
searching for them. Moments later, he found most of the people of suffa
sitting at the far back of the mosque, remembering Allah and invoking His
praises. When he saw that, God's messenger upon whom be peace, exclaimed
blithely, 'All praises be to Allah Who did not let me die before He had
enjoined upon me to abide with constancy in the company of the chosen ones
among my umma (of followers). Henceforth, and by Allah, living is living
in your company and until death comes.' "
In fact, there were
several similar incidents that took place regarding the people of suffa,
and they vary in details depending on the narrators. However, all the narrators
agree to witnessing the above episodes, the firm and decisive divine response
to people's faulty attitude, and the lessons the believers must learn from
them. Moreover, all of the narrations agree to the reason behind the Qur'anic revelation
and Almighty Allah's directives to His blessed messenger upon whom be peace, on
this subject.
963-
In another narration
reported by Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâss, God be pleased with him, he said: "We
were six people sitting in the company of God's messenger upon whom be peace,
including myself, Ibn Mas'oud, a man from the tribe of Huthail, and two more
people, I forgot their names, when a delegation of hypocrites (from Madina)
came and said to him, 'You must distance these people from you, for they are
such and such....' At that moment, it appeared that God's messenger ífe, upon
whom be peace, felt for us as he pondered when the divine revelation came down,
< Apply yourself with patience and remain in the company of those who call
upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance ... > (Qur'an
18:28).
964-
Jurair narrated that
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud said: "God's messenger áí, upon whom be peace, was
sitting in the mosque with Suhayb, Bilâl, Khabâb, and 'Ammar, along with some
poor common Muslims when a group of people from the Tribe of Quraish passed by,
and they said to him, 'O messenger of Allah, have you chosen this class of
people from among your entire followers for your closest ones! Do you want us
to follow such people? < Are these the ones whom Allah has chosen from among
all of us for His utmost favors?> (Qur'an 6:53). Get rid of them, and
perhaps if you do that we may follow you!' (Cf. Qur'an 6:54)
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud,
God be pleased with him, added: "It is then that Allah, the Lord of
majesty and glory revealed, < Forewarn with this revelation those who are
fearful of the Day when they are (raised from the dead and are) gathered before
their Lord (for their final Judgment). Surely they do not have a protector
besides Him, nor can any intercessor (intervene on their behalf except by His
leave). Therefore, perhaps such warning will help them be at their guard. Do
not evict (or set apart) those who call on their Lord morning and evening,
seeking His countenance. You are not accountable for them, nor are they
accountable for you. Therefore, should you turn them away, you would be bearing
the actions of the unjust ones > (Qur'an 6:51-52)."
965-
Mu'âwiya bin Qurra
narrated that 'Â'ith bin 'Amr said: "Salman, Suhayb, and Bilal were once
sitting together when Abu Sufyan passed by them. One of them looked at him and
commented with anger, 'Surely the swords have not done justice to the enemy of
Allah!' Abu Bakr also was there when he heard that remark, and he said to them,
'Are you saying this to the most respected shaykhs, the patriarch of the Tribe
of Quraish and its sire?' Abu Bakr immediately went to God's messenger upon
whom be peace, and he told him what he heard. God's messenger replied, 'O Abu
Bakr, perhaps you hurt their feelings, or maybe you offended them with your
comments. I swear by Him Who controls the destiny of my soul that if you have
offended them, you would have brought the wrath of your Lord upon yourself!'
Abu Bakr immediately hastened back to the mosque, and he said to the company of
suffa, 'Dear brothers! Perhaps I offended you with my comments!' The
people replied, 'Surely not! O Abu Bakr, you definitely did not offend us, may
Allah forgive you.' "
966-
Hamid bin Anas narrated
that God's messenger «K, upon whom be peace, said: "With this knowledge,
Allah will raise some people in stations, and He will make them eminent leaders
and illustrious models. Their work will become widely known, and it will be
admired and studied by others for ages. The angels will seek their company and
huddle around them, and the angels's wings will constantly rub against their
shoulders."
967-
'Abdullah, son of 'Amru
bnul 'Âss narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Do you
know who will be the first to enter the heavenly paradise?" The people
replied: "Surely Allah and His messenger know best!" He continued:
"These will be the poor ones among the émigré, and following their example
(in this world), ruses and deceptions can be overcome. They die having a
yearning they may not be able to satisfy. The angels will say, 'Our Lord, we
are Your angels, the guardians of Your infinite treasures, and the inhabitants
of Your glorious heavens, and we hope to be the first to enter the heavenly
paradise. Please do not let them enter paradise before we do!' Allah, the Lord
of majesty and glory, will reply, 'These are My true devout servants and they
have never associated anyone with Me. When they died, they still had some
yearnings in their hearts they were not able to satisfy, and yet they
persevered in their devotion, and they denied themselves the need for it.'
Immediately, 4
The angels will then flock in to congratulate them, entering
through every gate, proclaiming, 'Upon you is Peace, for you have surely
persevered with patience, so blessed is your final abode. > (Qur'an
13:23-24).
968-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that Muhammad bin 'Ali, son of al-Hussain, the son of 'Ali bin Abi
Tàlib, peace be upon all of them, commented on the above Qur'anic verse with
another verse, saying: < Those are the ones who will be awarded to dwell in
the highest haven because of their patience and perseverance, and therein, they
will be met with congratulations and peace > (Qur'an 25:75).
43- Aows bin Aows al-Thaqafi
He came to the city of
God's messenger ÍS, upon whom be peace, during his later days. Aows bin Aows
al-Thaqafi arrived'to Madina along with the delegation of the Tribe of Thaqïf when
they embraced the religion of Islam and made their covenant with God's
messenger upon whom be peace. Along with other alliances (Maliki and
al-Ahlaf), Aows bin Aows al-Thaqafi stayed at al-Quba mosque, North of the
city of Madina, and not along with ahlu suffa as occasionally held by
some narrators.
969-
' Abdu-Rahmân bin Ja'far
narrated that Aows bin Huthaifa al-Thaqafi, said: "We arrived to Madina
and met with God's messenger Ufa, upon whom be peace, who placed al-ahlâf
as guests to al-Mughira bin Shu'ba, and he placed us as guests at the Quba
Mosque (near the outskirts of Madina). At night, after the ‘Isha prayers,
God's messenger upon whom be peace, used to visit us and talk to us."
44-
Asma' bin Hâritha al-Aslami
970-
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, said: "I always thought that Asmâ' and his sister Hind
were attendants of God's messenger upon whom be peace, because they mostly
remained near his door, and they continuously hastened to his service."
971-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
al-Baghwi said: "I read in the book of Muhammad bin Sa'ad al-Wâqidi the
name of a young man called Asma' bin Hâritha who lived among the people of ahlu
suffa in Madina, and who died the year sixty after Hijra in the city
of Bagra, Iraq, at the age of eighty."
972-
Abu Fârouq al-Khattâbi
narrated, re Asma' bin Hâritha, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once
said to him: "Go to your people and order them to fast for this day."[LX]
Asma' replied: "What if I find that they already had their
breakfast?" God's messenger £&, upon whom be peace, said: "Then
ask them to withhold from eating, and to fast for the remainder of the
day."
973-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdân
narrated, re al-Agharr al-Mazini, (also known as al-Agharr son of Mazeenah, his
mother), that God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, was teaching the people
to regularly ask for God's forgiveness, and he said: "I feel my heart
heavy unless I ask for Allah's forgiveness at least one hundred times a
day."
974-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated that Abi Burda said: "I heard a man from the Tribe of Juhaina,
called al-Agharr al-Mazini telling 'Abdullah bnu Omar, God be pleased with him,
that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said, 'O ye people, repent to your
Creator and Originator, for I repent to Him one hundred times a day.' "
975-
Jabir narrated that
Bilal, God be pleased with him, said: "In one extremely cold night, I
called up for prayers at dawn but no one responded. I called again, and no one
came out. God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, then said to me, 'What
happened to the people?' I replied, 'Perhaps the cold weather prevented them
from answering the call to prayers!' God's messenger
upon whom be peace, then
raised his hands and he prayed, 'O Mighty Allah, I beseech You to abate the
cold weather for their sake.' Bilal added, 'I bear witness that since that day,
I saw the people fanning themselves to keep cool at the fajr dawn
congregational prayers."
Al-Barâ' bin Mâlik is the
brother of Anas bin Malik, God be pleased with both of them, and he also was
one of the blessed people of suffa. Al-Barâ' had a soft heart, and he
liked poetry and music, though he was a most courageous and a skilled fighter,
and he earned his martyrdom during the Battle of Tastar.
976-
Muhammad bin Hayyân
narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Perhaps there is
amongst you a
disheveled man who wears
worn out rags, and towards whom no one cares to pay attention, and yet, should
he ask Allah for anything, Allah will surely satisfy his prayer. Among such
people there is al-Barâ' bin Mâlik."
977-
Thumama narrated, re Anas
bnu Mâlik, that his brother al-Barâ' had a beautiful voice, and sometimes, he
used to sing short poems in the rajaz meter before God's messenger ££,
upon whom be peace. One day, he was traveling in the company of God's messenger
when they came by a group of women on the road, and God's messenger said to
him, 'Be gentle, be courteous, and beware not to captivate the attention of
these women (with your songs)."
978-
Anas bin Malik narrated
that some years after the passing of God's messenger upon whom be peace, on the
day of the Battle of Tastar, people came to al-Barâ' and aroused his feelings,
saying: "O Bara', you should make a vow with your Lord today!"
Al-Barâ' then prayed: "My Lord, I implore You by Your holiest oath to
grant us victory over them, and to grant me to rejoin the company of Your
prophet upon whom be peace"
979-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that Anas bin Malik
found his
brother al-Bara' dying after the battle, and when Anas saw him laid on his
back, sighing in his wounds and intoning with a short breath, Anas exclaimed:
"O my beloved brother!" Al-Barâ' looked towards his brother and
smiled as he said: "Can you imagine me dying on my bed now that I have
eliminated one hundred ruthless dissenters in hand-to-hand combat, besides
those I helped other warring believers to terminate!" ,
47-
Thawbân Mawla Rasul Allah â:
Thawbân also lived at the
suffa, and he was an excellent companion, a modest, chaste, content and
a most loyal Muslim, and people used to enjoy his good-natured humor. Among the
narrations also referenced to him, we note the following:
980-
Zaid bin Aslam narrated,
re Thawbân, that a Jewish rabbi once came to God's messenger ££, upon whom be
peace, and said: "I wish to ask you a question!" God's messenger
replied: "Ask." The rabbi said: "Where will the people be on 4
The Day when the earth will be transformed into another earth (matter), as well
as will the heavens... > ? " (Qur'an 14: 48). God's messenger
upon whom be peace, replied: "People will be standing under an opaque veil
beneath the Bridge of Judgment." The rabbi further asked: "Then who
among the people will receive first access to the crossing?" God's messenger
¿fc, upon whom be peace, replied: "The poor ones among the muhâjireen
(émigrés)."
981-
In another prophetic
saying quoted by Thawbân, Abi Qalâba narrated that God's messenger Ofr,
upon whom be peace, said: "The best spent Dinar (in charity) is one which one
spends to take care of his family, to feed his horse for Allah's pleasure, or a
Dinar which is spent to feed one's companions for Allah's pleasure."
The name of Thâbit bin
al-Dhahhâk was mentioned by Abu Zaid al-Ash'hali, and he was of the early
Medinite (Ansâr) people of Shajara, i.e., those who
made their covenant with God's messenger upon whom be peace, under the Tree,
near Mecca, prior to his Hijra (migration) to Madina. (Cf.
Qur'an 48:18)
982-
'Uthmân bin Abi Shaiba
narrated, re Thâbit bin al- Dhahhâk, that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
said during that meeting: "Whosoever accuses a Muslim of being a
disbeliever (kufur) is equal in sin to his murderer."
983-
Abi Qalâba narrated, re
Thâbit bin al-Dhahhâk, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said:
"Whosoever lies using the oath of Islam is not a Muslim but rather a
liar."
49-
Huthaifa bnu Asyad al-Ghafâri
Abi Sariha al-Ghafâri
mentioned that Huthaifa bnu Asyad was among the early Medinite (Ansar) people
of the Tree of the Covenant (Shajara), and who also lived at the Suffa
of the prophet's mosque.
The
Ten Major Signs of The Last Hour
984-
'Abdullâh bnu Ja'far
narrated that Huthaifa bnu Asyad al-Ghafâri said: "We were discussing the
Last Hour when God's messenger upon whom be peace, came and sat with us, and he
said, 'The Last Hour will not take place until ten major signs have occurred:
1) The Cataclysmic Cloud; 2) The emergence of the pseudo Messiah[LXI]
(Arb. Dajjal, the Deceiver); 3) The emergence of the Behemoth
(uncommon beast, Arb. dâbba); 4) The sun rising from the West;
plus three major unprecedented earthquakes; 5) I- One in the East, 6) II- One
in the West; and, 7) III- One in the Arabian Peninsula; 8) The resurgence and
last conquest of Gog and Magog; and finally, 10) A major extraordinary volcanic
fire that will erupt from the South of Eden, and which will drive all people to
the Gathering Grounds, a portentous sign of the Day of Judgment."
985-
Huthaifa bnu Asyad
al-Ghafâri narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "O ye
people, I am to precede you to the Akhira (i.e., the thither eternal
life), and (on the Day of Judgment) ye will flock in crowds to my Hawdh,1
and I will ask you about your management of two major responsibilities,[LXII]
[LXIII]
and therefore, consider that as you interact with them. As to your first major
responsibility, this is the glorious Qur'an, the Book of Allah, — the causal
and effective end of its rope is in Allah's Hand, and the other end is in your
hands; therefore, hold fast to its admonition and you will never go astray, and
do not innovate. Your next major responsibility is to follow the example of,
and to show kindness to my household,[LXIV]
for the Kind, Subtle, and the all-Acquainted Lord has informed me that these
two (i.e., the Qur'an and the prophet's family) will never separate, and they
will always remain in unity until they reach my Hawdh."
Zaid bin 'Âsim al-Ansari
reported that Habib bnu Zaid was one of Ahlu Suffa, but yet, other
records show that he was of Ahlul Quba mosque in Madina.
986-
Zaid bin 'Âsim al-Ansâri
narrated that Musailama al- Kazzâb (i.e., the liar) captured Habib bnu Zaid,
and that he personally interrogated him, saying: "Do you bear witness that
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah?" Habib replied: "Yes I do."
Musailama then asked him: "Do you bear witness that I am the messenger of
Allah as well?" Habib replied: "I can't hear you!" Consequently,
and after an awful and terrifying torture, Musailama finally mutilated and
killed Habib bnu Zaid."
51-
Nasiba, Um Habib of 'Aqaba
987-
Habib bnul Hassan
narrated that during the caliphate of Abu Bakr, God be pleased with him, a
woman called Nasiba, Um Habib of 'Aqaba, joined the Muslim army campaign
against Musailama al-Kazzâb, and she fought most courageously until Musailama
was killed, and finally, she returned to Madina wearing a badge of ten wounds
she earned during the battle.
988-
Abu Huraira narrated, re
'Aisha, the mother of the believers, God be pleased with her, that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, said: "In my sleep, I saw myself in
Paradise, and I heard the voice of a Qur'an reader from among my followers. I
inquired, 'Who is that?' And I was told, 'This is Hâritha bin al- Nu'mân' God's
messenger ëfc then added, 'Such is trueness to one's Lord, and such is the true
one to his Lord.' "
989-
Sa'ïd bin al-Musayyib
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "Hâritha bin
al-Nu'mân was most faithful to his mother, and such loyalty and trueness (birr)
have earned him his exalted station in Allah's sight."
990-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdân
narrated that Hâritha bin al- Nu'mân, God be pleased with him, lost his sight
to cataract at an old age, and he stayed with Ahlu Suffa, at the
prophet's mosque. Hâritha sat by a corner close to the Prophet's chamber, and
he tied a rope to it, to guide him to walk to the congregational prayers. Next
to the end of his rope, Hâritha always had a bowl of dried dates, and whenever
a beggar came to the mosque, Hâritha would use the rope to guide him to the
bowl, and he would personally give the mendicant some dates. Whenever his
family said to him, 'Let us help you to give the mendicant want you want to give
him!' Hâritha would reply, T heard God's messenger upon whom be peace, say, 'To
personally hand out your charity to a mendicant will ward off a possible evil
death (should it be written as one's fate).'"
53-
Hâzim bin Harmala al-Aslami
991-
Khâlid bin Sa'ad narrated
that Hâzim bin Harmala al- Aslami was walking when someone called him to God's
messenger
upon whom be peace, and
who said to him: "O Hâzim, I oft invoke the prayer of Là Hawla wa là
Quwwata illâ Billâhi'l 'Aliyyil 'Azeem (Surely there is no will or power
except what Allah, the glorious Lord, affects), for it is one of the greatest
treasures of Paradise."
992-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re al-Hakam bnu 'Umair, that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
said: "Be like guests in this world, consider the mosques as your homes,
train your hearts to be gentle, train yourselves to be overly contemplative and
to readily cry (when remembering what is coming). Let not your difference in
opinions and ideas be the cause of you divisiveness. Surely you ambitions are
driving your enterprising minds to build abodes you do not live in; to amass
wealth beyond your immediate needs, and still, your minds anticipate and hope
in what is beyond their reach."
993-
Al-Hassan bin Sufyan
narrated, re al-Hakam bnu 'Umair, that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
said: "It is enough of a depravity in one's religious claims: 1) To often
indulge in sins; 2) to be short tempered; 3) to lack forbearance; 4) to have
meager knowledge; 5) to sleep like a decaying cadaver at night; 6) to idle
during the day; 7) to be lazy; 8) anxious; 9) impatient; 10) stingy; 11)
hesitant; and 12) to exasperate easily."
994-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated, re al-Hakam bnu 'Umair, that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
said: "You must shy from Almighty Allah in everything you do. Cover your
heads and shield them against their ruinous inclinations, as well as to protect
their advantageous knowledge. Be careful about what you feed your stomach, be
discreet about what the wombs conceives, and always remember death and its
trials, whosoever does that, paradise will be his eternal abode."
995-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated that Harmala bin Ayâs said: "I once visited God's messenger upon
whom be peace, along with a group of my neighbors, and as we were taking leave,
I asked him, 'O messenger of Allah, advise me.' He replied, 'Always beware of
Allah, and when you sit in the company of people, should you hear something you
like, then act upon it, and should you hear something you dislike, then avoid
it.' "
996-
Hayyân bin 'Àsim narrated
that Harmala bin Ayâs visited God's messenger upon whom be peace, and when he
was leaving, he asked him: "O messenger of Allah, command me." God's
messenger 4ji, upon whom be peace, replied: "O Harmala, do what is morally
correct, and avoid what is morally despised."
997-
Abu Bakr al-Talhi
narrated that a group of the companions of God's messenger upon whom be peace,
visited Khabâb bnul Art,1 during his last illness, and they said to
him: "Rejoice, O Khabâb, soon you will reunite with God's messenger
■&, upon whom be peace." Khabâb replied: "How is that? Here is
the bottom of the house, and there is its ceiling. Hasn't God's messenger upon
whom be peace, told us, 'Suffice yourselves in this world with as little provisions
as a traveler carries with him on a short journey,'"[LXV]
[LXVI]
57-
Khumays bnu Huthâfa al-Sahmi
998-
Abu Bakr bin Mâlik
narrated that Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased with him, said: "Khumays
bnu Huthâfa al-Sahmi[LXVII]
(Hafsa' husband) was a close companion of God's messenger upon whom be
peace, and after Khumays died, I met Abu Bakr, and I said to him, 'If you wish,
I will give you Hafsa the daughter of Omar in marriage.' Abu Bakr remained
silent, and he gave a polite answer to think about it, and for a while, he did
not speak to me on the subject. I became worried for her, but few nights later,
God's messenger upon whom be peace, asked for the hand of Hafsa in marriage,
and it was thus arranged. I later met Abu Bakr, and when he saw me, he
immediately said, 'Perhaps you were upset with me regarding Hafsa your
daughter, and because I did not return to you with a prompt answer!' I replied,
'Yes I did!' Abu Bakr then said, 'Surely nothing prevented me from coming back
to you with a positive answer except that I had heard God's messenger speak of
her after the death of her husband, and it is not my nature to divulge the
secrets of God's messenger ájú, and should he ever let go of her, I will
certainly marry her.'"
58-
Khâlid bin Yazïd al-Ansàri
This is Khâlid bin Yazïd
al-Ansâri, the son of Abu Ayoub al- Ansâri, God be pleased with him, the noble
host of God's messenger upon whom be peace, when he stayed at his house upon
his arrival to Madina, and where he stayed until he built the mosque, and his
blessed chamber thereat.
Khâlid bin Yazïd fought
at the Battles of Badr and 'Aqaba, and he maybe considered of the dwellers of
'Aqaba, and not of Ahlu Suffa. Khâlid died in the city of
Constantinople,[LXVIII]
and he was buried near its walls. Here are a couple of the prophetic traditions
referenced to his narration:
999-
Abu Bakr bin Khalâd
narrated, re Khâlid bin Yazïd al- Ansâri, God be pleased with him, that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Tow men would go to the mosque to
pray, and when they leave, one will have his prayers weigh in his favor, giving
him advantage over his brother, and the second man's prayers will not be worth
the weight of an atom."
Abu Hamïd al-Sâ'idi
asked: "O messenger of Allah, how can that be?" God's messenger
replied: "That's if his discernment functions better than the other!"
Abu Hamid asked again: "And How is that?" God's messenger replied:
"Perhaps one is more demanding of himself and he is more keen with respect
to abstaining from what Allah forbids, and he eagerly hastens to do good.
Hence, his prayers will be more advantageous, and even if he does not volunteer
as much supererogatory prayers in comparison with what the other man
offers."
1000-
Habib bin al-Hassan
narrated, re Abu Ayoub al-Ansâri, God be pleased with him, that a bedouin Arab
once came to God's messenger upon whom be peace, and said: "Teach me, but
be brief!" God's messenger ëfc replied: "1) When you stand up in
prayer, do so like someone who bade farewell to this world; 2) do not utter a
word if you know that you will have to apologize for it; and 3) finally, give
up all hopes and desire for what others have."
1001 - Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Abu Ayoub al-Ansâri, God be pleased with him, was sitting at the
mosque in the company of a group of believers, when God's messenger upon whom
be peace, came out of his house, and he sat with them, expressing a distinct
joy as he said: "Today, my Lord granted me to choose between two gifts,
either to have seventy thousands of my followers enter paradise without
reckoning, or a special gift He will league for me!" Someone asked:
"O messenger of Allah, what would such a special gift Almighty Allah would
league for you?" God's messenger did not reply, and he went back to his
chamber. He then returned to us and said: "My Lord has compounded His
endowment upon me, and now it includes an extra seventy thousand believers
along with each one thousand from the first group, and furtherrqore, He also
included the special gift He will league for me."
Abu Rahm then asked Abu
Ayoub al-Ansâri, God be pleased with him: "And what would such a special
gift Almighty Allah would league for His messenger
The people then scattered
around, and some became skeptical about the authority and meaning of the
prophetic narration, while others spoke wrong of Abu Ayoub's factualness.
Seeing that the people were uncomfortable with what they have just learned, Abu
Ayoub then called them back to him and said: "Let me clarify what this
special gift Almighty Allah would league for His messenger and not as I think,
but in fact, as surely I know from the explanation I learned from God's
messenger upon whom be peace, himself. This gift represents a favorable answer
of a special prayer, Allah's messenger prayed, and which Allah granted him. He
prayed: 'My Lord, grant me that whosoever bears witness that there is no god
except You, attesting that You have no associate or partner, and that Muhammad
is Your servant and messenger, believing thus with all his heart, and attesting
to it with his tongue, paradise will be his ultimate destination."[LXIX]
59-
Khuraym bnu Fâtik al-Asadi
1002-
His forefather is Ahmad
bin Sulaimân al-Marouzi. Khuraym lived in Ibriq, Iraq, and one day, he was
awakened in the middle of the night by an anonymous voice, admonishing him:
"Seek refuge in the One and only Lord of majesty, the Eternal, Whose
favors are abounding, and Whose glory is everlasting. Regularly read the
divinely revealed verses, glorify the divine Oneness, and fear nothing after
that."
Khuraym immediately
traveled to Madina, and when he arrived to the mosque, it happen that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, was standing on the pulpit delivering a sermon.
On that day, Khuraym embraced Islam at the hand of God's messenger and he
stayed along with Ahlu Suffa, and later on he fought in the Battle of
Badr.
1003-
Abi Ishâq narrated, re
Khuraym bnu Fâtik al-Asadi, that God's messenger upon whom be peace, once
looked at him and said: "What kind of a man are you, had it not been for
two good habits you care about!" Khuraym replied: "O messenger of
Allah, if I knew that I had even a single good habit I'll be most satisfied
with that. Tell me, what are they?" God's messenger replied: "Your
caring to correct the way to wear your izâr (wrapper), and the way you
trim your hair!" From that day on, Khuraym cut his hair short, and he made
sure that he wore his izâr correctly.1
1004-
Khuraym's forefather was
Abi al-Hassan 'Ali bin Omar al-Darqutni. One day, Khuraym bnu Aows al-Tâ'ï was
sitting with a group of believers at the mosque when God's messenger upon whom
be peace, prophesied: "It has come to my knowledge, and the veils were
lifted before my eyes to reveal that Islam will soon reach the City of al-Hïra
in Iraq, and I saw a young woman called al-Shaimâ' by herself, wearing a black
veil, riding on a blond mule, and trying to escape." Khuraym immediately
asked: "O messenger of Allah, should we conquer al-Hïra, and should I be
the first to lay eyes on her as you have just described, can I marry her?"
God's messenger replied: "Yes, she is yours."
Some time later, Khuraym
bnu Aows joined the Muslim army, and he fought under the leadership of Khalid
bin al-Walïd, God be pleased with him, when they sought Musailama al-Kazzab,[LXX]
[LXXI]
and defeated him and his followers.
Following that campaign,
Khalid proceeded to al-Hïra, Iraq, and as they neared the gates of the city,
Khuraym bnu Aows laid eyes on a young woman wearing a black veil, and riding on
blond mule, just as described by God's messenger, upon whom be peace, and he
fell in love with her at first sight. Her brother 'Abdul Masih then came out,
and when he learned of Khuraym's intention to marry his sister, he said, 'Let
Allah be my witness that I will not give her away for less than Ten hundred
dirhams!" Immediately Khuraym paid him one thousand dirhams, and said, T
swear to Allah, that even should you have asked for one hundred thousand
dirhams, I would have paid them for her sake."
The companions Muhammad
bin Maslama and 'Abdullah bin Omar, God be pleased with them, became the
witnesses of this marriage which took place near the gates of the city of Hira,
and later on, the woman's brother 'Abdul Masih said, T did not know then that
one can count money to exceed ten hundred dirhams!' "
1005-
Abu Muhammad bin Hayyàn
narrated that Khuraym bnu Aows al-Tâ'ï said: "I migrated from Tabük to
God's messenger Ü», upon whom be peace, and I embraced Islam at his
hand. One day, al-'Abbas, the uncle of God's messenger said to me, T wish to
say something good about you.' I replied, 'You may only pray to Allah to help
me keep my mouth shut!' "
Also among the dwellers
of Suffa, there lived Khubaib bnu Yasâf, the son of 'Utba, Abu
'Abdu-Rahmân. This is also confirmed by 'Abdullah al-Hâfiz al-Naisaburi and by
Abu Bakr bin Abi Dâwoud.
1006-
Abu Ja'far al-Râzi
narrated, re Imam Muslim, that Khubaib bnu Yasâf said: "I first met God's
messenger upon whom be peace, when I came along with a man from my tribe to see
him. At that time, God's messenger was preparing for a campaign, and when I
realized that, I said to him, 'We shy to see our people preparing for battle,
when we are deprived of such honor!' God's messenger replied, 'Have you
accepted Islam?' We replied, 'No we have not.' He then said, 'We do not accept
the assistance of polytheists!' On that day, we embraced Islam at his hand, and
we joined the army. During the battle against the polytheists, I fought a man
who wounded me, and finally, I managed to kill him. Later on, I happened to
marry the man's daughter who had embraced Islam. At times, when she is upset
with me, she would say, 'I wish you were never bereft of the company of a man
who begot this ornament[LXXII]
which you yoke over your shoulders!' Hearing that, I would reply, 'May you
never be bereaved of the man who hastened the delivery of your polytheist
father into hell-fire!' "
62-
Dakin bin Sa'ïd al-Mazeeni
Also among the dwellers
of Suffa, there lived Dakin bin Sa'ïd al-Mazeeni, or al-Khath'ami, who
came to God's messenger upon whom be peace, in the company of four hundred men,
and God's messenger fed all of them. Later on in his life, Dakin migrated to
the City of Küfa, in Iraq.
The
Miracle of Feeding the Hungry
1007-
Qays bin Abi Hâzim
narrated that Dakin bin Sa'ïd said: "I first cam to God's messenger ££,
upon whom be peace, in the company of four hundred men, and we asked him to
feed us. God's messenger then turned to Omar bin al-Khattâb, God be pleased
with him, and said, 'O Omar, take these men to your home and feed them, and let
them take away whatever is left.' Surprised by this unusual request, Omar
replied, 'O messenger of Allah, I have no more than a mere small measure of dry
date that would barely feed me and my children for a meal in this hot day of
summer!'
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, God
be pleased with him, also was sitting there, and at once, he spoke firmly:
"O Omar, hear the orders and obey them." Omar replied: "I hear
and Obey."
Omar, God be pleased with
him, then led us to his house, and he asked the men to enter in small groups.
Omar then took out his keys to open the door, and as soon as he entered, there
was a huge pile of dates in the middle of the room, and he had to climb on it
to serve the people.
Dakin bin Sa'id further
said: "I was the last man to enter his house, and there was still a huge
pile of dates to take away with us."1
63-
Rufâ'a Abu Lubâba al-Ansàri
The narrators also have
mentioned the name of Rufa'a Abu Lubâba al-Ansâri, and some say that his name
is Bashir bin 'Abd al-Munthir, of the Tribe of 'Amru bnu 'Awf. Rufâ'a also was
among the dwellers of Suffa, and it is said that he is related to the
family of the great Muslim scholar Abu 'Abdullah al-Hafiz al-Naysaboori.
1008-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin al-Akili narrated, re ' Abdu-Rahmân bin Yazid, re Lubâba (i.e., Bashir bin
'Abd al-Munthir), that God's messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Surely
Friday is the best day of the week, and it is greater than the two (major
Muslim) festivals of Eid'ul Ad-ha and Eid’il Fitr. Friday has
five characteristic traits: 1) Adam was created on a Friday; 2) Adam descended
to the earth on a Friday; 3) and Allah took back his soul on a Friday. 4) On
Friday, there is an auspicious hour, during which a Muslim's prayers are
accepted, unless one asks for something which Allah forbade; and finally, 5)
every Friday, there isn't a heavenly angel, heavens, earth, mountains, or
winds, nor oceans but are afraid that the Last Hour would take place on that
Friday."
1009-
Salma bin
'AÉ>du-Rahmân, re his father, narrated that God's messenger upon whom be peace,
once said to a man called Abu Razin: "O Abu Razin, when you are alone,
keep your tongue moving with Zikrullâh,[LXXIII]
[LXXIV]
for you will be in prayers (salât) as long as you keep the remembrance
of Allah. Do so during the daylight hours, and you will receive their reward,
and do it during the time of supererogatory hours, and you will receive the
reward of such hours. O Abu Razin, When people strive to stand up to pray
during the night and fast during the day, endeavor to counsel and advise the
Muslims. O Abu Razin, when the people carry on Jihad (struggle) to
defend the faith, and if you wish to receive equal reward to theirs, then take
shelter in the Allah's mosque, make it your duty to call to the prayers, and
receive no wage for your work."
1010-
Ibrahim bin 'Abdullah
narrated, re 'Abdul Malik bin Muhammad bin 'Adiy, re 'Abbas bin al-Walid, re
his father, re 'Uthmân bin 'Atâ, re al-Hassan bin Abi Razin that God's messenger
upon whom be peace, said
to his father Razin: "Let me tell you about the foundation of success on
this path, and how to receive the full benefit of this world and those of the
hereafter! Constantly attend to the circles of Zikr, and as long as you can,
when you are alone keep your tongue moving with Zikrullâh; love in
Allah, and abhor for Allah's sake. O Abu Razin, did you know that when a man
leaves his house intending to visit his Muslim brother, seventy thousand angels
will accompany him, and all the way, they will invoke salawàt (divine
blessings) upon him, praying, 'Our Lord, he only went out to implement Thy
command of fostering the bond of unity. Our Lord, deliver him into the
infiniteness of Thy mercy and compassion.' "
God's messenger then added:
"If you can employ your body to do such work, then endeavor to do
so."
1011-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated, re Nâfi', re 'Abdullah bin Omar, that on the day of the battle
against Musailama al-Kazzâb and his followers, Omar bin al-Khattàb said to.his
brother Zaid: "Use my shield." Zaid replied: "But my dear
brother, I desire the reward of martyrdom as much as you do!" Hence, both
of them walked into the battlefield without a shield.
Ishaq bin Ibrâhîm narrated that 'Abdullah
bin Omar said: "Abu Lubâba - Zaid bin al-Khattàb - once saw me pursuing a
snake to kill it, and he said to me, 'Don't do that, for the messenger of Allah
forbade us of killing limbless reptiles."
íV; íVjniJíjViJ ■ 111*13
\ ïn J ^hI i
-406 - The Beauty of The
Righteous
' - IJOD O ' - "
' sb • ? Iriis) fa ■ :
1012-
Ja'far bin Muhammad bin
'Amr narrated that Safina Abu 'Abdu-Rahmân said: "Um Salma bought my
freedom from bondage, and she released me on the condition that I serve God's
messenger
upon whom be peace, as
long as I live, and I replied to her, 'I surely do not wish to ever be away
from God's messenger âç as long as I live."
rsgffoasara a BoD fem
msr»>I idA md aeasBlt-ir*
uov Mai
orn laJ" :nïxsJI 'lOflisl air! oi bisa .a-jrssq vi morlw noqu
The
Miracle of the Shipload
1013-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Safina Abu 'Abdu- Rahmân said to Sa'ïd bin Jamhân: "My name
is Safina (Arb. Ship)." Sa'ïd asked: "Why are you called
Safina?" He replied: "God's messenger upon whom be peace, one day
called me Safina when we were traveling with a group of believers. Deep through
our journey, the companions were no longer able to carry their cumbersome
luggage, and which began to slow down their journey. God's messenger ££ then
turned to me and said, 'You carry their luggage for them, for surely you are a
ship (safina) today. God's messenger áfc then ordered me, 'O Safina,
spread down your shawl,' and I did as he told me. The companions then placed
their entire cargo over my shawl, and miraculously, I was able to lift the
entire load at once, and yet, they did not weigh a thing. On that day, even
should I had to carry the loads of one, two, five, or as much as six pack
animals would carry, that would not have been heavy for me."
1014-
'Abdullah bin Ja'far
narrated, re Safina, that a man invited God's messenger upon whom be peace, and
'Ali, God bless his countenance, to a meal. When God's messenger arrived, he
saw a special tent raised in the house, but he did not enter the house. Later on,
Fatima, God be pleased with her, said to 'Ali: "Ask God's prophet about
what prevented him from entering the house?" When 'Ali asked him, God's
messenger ££ replied: "It is not my custom nor that of any prophet before
me to enter an embellished house!" Jo logntirasm orb rot oh fnoG' of bica
ad bru; ,ji Ilbl oi
Abi Sa'ïd
al-Khidri narrated that the family of Sa'ad bin Mâlik once complained about
scarcity of their means, and Sa'ad bin Malik sought to talk to God's messenger about it. When
Sa'ad reached the mosque, God's messenger ££, upon whom be peace, was standing
on the pulpit delivering a sermon, wherein he said: "O ye people, isn't it
time for you to refrain from asking others for your needs. Surely whosoever abstains
from asking, Allah will suffice him, and whosoever exhibits contentment, Allah
will satiate his needs with little. I swear by Him Who holds in His Hand the
destiny of Muhammad, that there is no wealth greater than exercising patience,
and yet, if you insist on asking me, I will offer you whatever I find available
to me."
Hearing that, Sa'ad
prayed with the congregation, and then returned to his home.
in I " :bail<j9i
áé l'jgn^ee.’îm ?'bo-.J "5bí>nJ leom ad Hrw ?i9v9:l9d
1015-
Abu Dawoud narrated that
'Abdullah bin Ja'far, God be pleased with him, said: "Allah looked into
the hearts of humanity, and He sent Muhammad upon whom be peace, to His
creation. He sent him with His divine message, and He chose him by His divine
omniscience. Allah then looked into the hearts of people next to His messenger
and He chose his companions, and He made them his supporters. Therefore, what
the believers judge as good, then it is good, and whatever the believers find
as ugly, Allah judges it accordingly."' '
. bob! rl.Hw srniii? mow
9W" :bt£k! biroWZ und déllubdA1 -fcSOt
Also among the many
prophetic sayings referenced to the narrations of Ahlu Suffa, we cite
the following:
1016-
'Abdullah bin Muhammad
bin Ja'far narrated, re Salman al-Farisi, God be pleased with him, that God's
messenger upon whom be peace, said: "Whenever the heart of a believer
quivers on Allah's path, his sins will fall off like the clusters of dates fall
off their tree."^11’*
1017-
Abu Wâ'il narrated, re
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud , God be pleased with, that God's messenger Ufa,
upon whom be peace, said: "People are two types: 1) A learned person, and,
2) a student, and there are no benefits in anyone except them."
■ oH anoamoa
ni rfr.HA Jo n§i? arij bne .«Jnsw sH
1018-
'Abdullah bin Mas'oud
narrated that God's messenger Í&, upon whom be peace, said: "Whenever
a servant takes a step forward, Allah will question him about the reason why he
took it!"
1019-
Abi 'Amr al-Kindi
narrated, re Salman al-Fârisi, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger
upon whom be peace, said: "I will intercede on behalf of any two men who
fraternize in Allah from the day I was sent (as Allah's messenger), and until
the day of Resurrection."
1020-
'Abdullah bin Mus'ab
narrated, re Mus'ab bin Sa'ad, that his father Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâs asked God's
messenger âi, upon whom be peace: "O messenger of Allah, who among the
believers will be most tried?" God's messenger ££ replied: "The
prophets, then those next to their station, then the next, and then the next,
etc. The trial of each man will depend on the strength of his faith and
adherence to his religion. If the person is strong, then his trials will be
more difficult, and if his faith is faint and his adherence to his religion is
flimsy, then his trials in this world will measure up to his state. Like that,
the believer will keep on suffering adversities until he walks on the surface
of this earth chaste and without a sin."
1021-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated, re Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqâs, that God's messenger S¿, upon whom be
peace, said: "Allah loves a servant who is pious, satisfied with little,
rich in virtues, and affectionate."
1022-
'Abdullah bnu Mas'oud
said: "We were sitting with God's messenger £¡¡>, upon whom be peace,
when a rider arrived, and he drove his horse close to God's messenger upon whom
be peace, and said, 'O messenger of Allah, I have come to ask you a question,
and I drove for nine consecutive days and nights, and until my horse became
exhausted. God's messenger asked the man, 'What is your name?' The man replied,
T am Zaid ul-Khayl.' (i.e., a bounty hunter) God's messenger commented, 'Nay,
surely you are Zaid ul-Khair,' (i.e., the stretch of bounty). Now, ask your
question, maybe a difficult question was once probed, and perhaps we had an
answer for it!' "
Zaid then said:
"Tell me about the sign of Allah in a person He wants, and the sign of
Allah in someone He does not want?" God's messenger upon whom be peace,
replied: "How did you wake up this morning?" Zaid replied: "I
woke up this morning having love in my heart for what is good, for the people
who do good, and for the people who act upon it, and if I practice what I know
to be good, I realized the benefit of its reward, and if I miss, I yearn for
it!"
God's messenger upon whom
be peace, then said: "This is the sign of Allah in someone He wants as
well as it is His sign in someone He does not want. Should Allah intend for you
to be among those He does not want, He will allow to walk that step, and then
He does not care in which valley you vanish."
Finally in this book
comes the name of the great companion Abu Huraira, the most renowned companion
of Ahlu Suffa, the blessed dwellers under the canopy of the prophet's
mosque. Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, lived at the mosque and he never
resided anywhere else during the lifetime of God's messenger upon whom be
peace. Abu Huraira was unofficially the monitor who assisted God's messenger in
attending to the needs of the residents, the new comers, and the guests, and he
was one of the poorest of the entire group. He exercised extreme patience
towards his inordinate poverty, and he retired to the shades, were he mostly
sat and prayed. Abu Huraira was an ascetic by nature, he did not care about
planting trees, nor did he concern himself with the flowing of the rivers, and
he did not care to socialize with rich people or to befriend merchants. Abu
Huraira was a wise man, he forsook the ephemeral comforts of this world, and he
aspired for the true and everlasting benefits of the One Who is worthy of
worship.
1023-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "Let Allah, Whom
there is no god but He, be my Supreme Witness, that I used to tie a pebble
under my belt to quieten the noise of my grumbling stomach. One day, I sat on
the sidewalk waiting for Abu Bakr to come out, and when I saw him, I
intentionally asked him a question about a Qur'anic verse, hoping that he would
stop and perhaps tread for few steps with me, and eventually ask me to share
some food with him, but he did not. Soon after that, Omar came by, and again, I
asked him about a verse from the Qur'an, but he did not respond. Finally, Abu'l
Qâsim,[LXXV]
God's messenger upon whom be peace, walked by, and he came out smiling, and
said, 'O Aba Hirr!' I exclaimed, 'At thy command O messenger of Allah, order
me.' He said, 'Follow me.' I replied, 'At thy command O messenger of Allah,'
and I hurried after him. He then entered his house, and when we reached the
door, I asked permission to enter, and he gave me permission. God's messenger
then saw a small pitcher of milk on the floor, and he asked his family, 'Where
did this milk come from?' His family replied, 'So and so offered it to us as a
gift.' God's messenger then turned to me and said, 'O Aba Harr! I replied, 'At
thy command O messenger of Allah, order me,' He said, 'Quickly, call all Ahlu
Suffa (the dwellers of the mosque) and invite them to this.' "
Later on, Abu Huraira
explained: "Ahlu Suffa were "the guests of Islam. They never
asked any one for anything, and they cared for nothing in this world. Whenever
God's messenger received a charity, he did not touch it, and he immediately
sent it to them, and whenever he received a gift, he would call for them, and
he would share it with them."
1024-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerïn
narrated that Abu Huraira said: "Sometimes I fell unconscious in-between
the minbar (pulpit) of God's messenger upon whom be peace, and the chamber of
'Aisha. People would say, 'May be he is mad!' However, Allah knows best, that I
am not mad, but rather my hunger made me thus fall."
1025-
Abi Salma narrated that
Abu Huraira once said to a gathering of people: "You say about me that
'Abu Huraira narrates many prophetic saying spoken by God's messenger ÍS, upon
whom be peace,' and you say, 'Why wouldn't al-Muhâjireen (the émigrés)
and the Ansar (the dwellers of Madina) relate these prophetic saying,
and why weren't they aware of them?' My explanation is that my brethren from
among the émigrés were mostly busy trading in the markets, and my brethren from
among the Ansar were mostly busy managing their businesses, and
meanwhile, I was a poor man, living amidst the meek dwellers of Suffa
for the price of my food. Therefore, most of the time, I was present near God's
messenger £&, upon whom be peace, and I heard his words when the other
companions were absent, and I remembered everything he said, when they
forgot."
1026-
Abu Bakr bin Khuzaima
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "On the road to
God's messenger upon whom be peace, to embrace Islam, I said to myself, 'What a
long and a toiling night is awaiting you, and yet, it is your only way to
escape from the circle of the atheists.' On my way there, one of my
slave-servants ran away, and I couldn't catch him, but after I arrived and
embraced Islam at the hands of God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and
while sitting with him, the young slave suddenly appeared, and God's messenger said
to me, 'Here is your slave!' I replied, 'He is now a free man, and I hereby
release him from his bondage for the pleasure of Allah.' "
1027-
Abu Bakr bin Khallâd
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "I grew up as an
orphan, and I migrated as a poor man, and then, I served the daughter of Ibn
Ghazwân and my wage was my daily food."
1028-
Qutaiba bin Sa'ïd
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, once delivered a sermon,
wherein he also said: "All praises be to Allah Who made this religion the
archetype of moral code for humanity, and at the end, Who made Abu Huraira an
Imam, after Abu Huraira was working as a servant for the daughter of Ibn
Ghazwân for merely his stomach fill, and she gave him a free ride when he
needed it."
1029-
Abu Hamed bin Jabla
narrated that Mudharib bin Hazan said: "I once heard a voice perpetually
glorifying Allah, and I pursued the source of it, and I found it coming from
Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him. I asked him, 'What are these hymns of
glorification you are calling?' Abu Huraira replied, Tn gratitude!' I asked,
'For what?' He replied, 'For previously working as a servant for the daughter
of Ibn Ghazwân for merely my stomach fill, and she gave me a free ride when I
needed it. When the people mounted their horses, I used to follow them, and
when they stopped, I served them. Almighty Allah then gave her to me to be my
lawful wife, and today, when the people mount their rides, I ride with them,
and when they stop, I still serve them."
1030-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
narrated that 'Uthmân bin Muslim said: "We used to have a servant who
stayed a lot in the company of Abu Huraira, and when Abu Huraira greeted him,
he used to say, 'May the peace of Allah always be with you. Surely your endurance
will soon be rewarded with relief, and may Allah increase the wealth of the one
who hates you.' "
1031-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, used to say to his
daughter: "Do not wear gold, for I fear for you from the blazes of
hell-fire!"
1032-
Bishr bin Müsa narrated
that Abu Huraira said to his daughter: "Tell those who ask you, 'My father
refused to adorn me with gold, and he thus shielded me from the flames of the
blazing fire.'"
1033-
Imam Muhammad Ibn Seerin
narrated that the Commander and Prince of the Believers, Omar bin al-Khattâb
once called Abu Huraira to serve in his government, but Abu Huraira declined
the offer. Omar became upset, and he said: "You do not like to serve,
while someone better than you have asked for it." Abu Huraira replied:
"Who do you mean?" Omar replied: "I am talking about Yusuf, the
son of Ya'qoub, peace be upon both of them." Abu Huraira then said:
"You are talking here about Yusuf, the prophet of Allah, and the son of
Ya'qoub, the prophet of Allah, and here I am, Abu Huraira, the son of Umayya,
and I am afraid of three and two things!" Omar interrupted: "Why
wouldn't you say five things?" Abu Huraira replied: "I am afraid to
say more than what I know, and surely I am afraid to make the wrong judgment,
and then the whip of divine justice will lash at my back by the Book, my money
will be confiscated, and the honor of my family will be insulted and
defamed!"
1034-
Sulaimân bin Ahmad
narrated, re Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger Æfc,
upon whom be peace, said: "Should one of you now spread his shawl on this
floor and hearken to what I will say, and then, when my speech is concluded, he
will surely understand the meaning and remember this speech word by word."
Abu Huraira immediately
spread his shawl on the floor, and he listened carefully. Some years later, Abu
Huraira used to say: "As soon as God's messenger upon whom be peace,
finished talking, I embraced the shawl before I placed it again over my head,
and from that day on, not a single word of what he said then has ever escaped
me."
1035-
Sa'id bin Abi Hind
narrated, re Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger upon
whom be peace, once asked him: "Why wouldn't you ask me for a share of the
possessions your friends always ask of me?" Abu Huraira replied: "I
only wish to ask you to teach me some of the knowledge which Allah has taught
you."
Abu Huraira added:
"I then took off my head shawl, and I spread it on the floor in-between
him and myself. God's messenger ■Si, upon whom be peace, then spoke to me, and
I understood what he said word for word. When he stopped talking, he said to
me, 'Now you may hold unto your shawl.' I immediately embraced my shawl, and I
placed it over my head, and since that day, not a single word of what he said
ever escaped me ."
1036-
Abu Bakr bin Khallàd
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "The people are
saying that 'Abu Huraira seems to be practically the sole narrator of prophetic
sayings.' Let me tell you, I swear by Him Who holds the destiny of my soul,
that should I tell you everything I heard from God's messenger upon whom be
peace, you would most likely throw your trash over my head, and you would never
talk to me again."
1037-
Qutaiba bin Sa'id
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "I have learned
directly from God's messenger
upon whom be peace, and I
have memorized prophetic sayings and knowledge that can fill five large bags.
By now, I have share with you, and I have only opened two of them, and should I
open the third bag, and should you hear what he said, you would surely stone me
to death."
1038-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said:
"Let me point out to you an easy and a cool booty." The people
replied: "O Abu Huraira, what is it?" He replied: "Offer
voluntary fasting during the wintertime."
.
. . ■
1039-
Abu 'Amru bnu Hamdan
narrated, re Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, that God's messenger í£»,
upon whom be peace, said: "To fast the month of Ramadan plus three days in
each month equals a lifetime of fasting."
1040-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Abu Huraira, God be please with him, used to
often pace the floor of his house and say: "Woe unto my stomach, if I cloy
its cravings, it sickens me, and if I ignore them, it insults me." (i.e.,
exposes his hunger in public by roaring.)
1041-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Abu Huraira, God be please with him, said:
"I ask for Allah's forgiveness and I repent to Him twelve thousand times
per day. — Surely each believer does so following the scale of his religious
adherence."
1042-
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal,
God bless his soul, narrated that Na'ïm bin al-Muharrar, the grand son of Abu
Huraira, God be please with him, said: "My grandfather used to have a long
string on which he tied two thousand nuts, and he would not go to sleep unless
he had recited his prayers."
1043-
Ahmad bin Bindar narrated
that Abu Huraira cried during his last illness, and when asked about it, he
said: "Surely I am not crying being attached to your world, but rather for
the long journey awaiting me, and the little provisions I have prepared for it.
This mourning, I am descending upon either a paradise, or hell, and I have no
idea towards which of the two I will be taken!"
1044-
Muhammad bin Ishâq
narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, said: "You may expect
destruction to befall you when you begin to adorn your mosques, and embellish
your Qur'ans."
1045-
'Abdullah, son of Imam
Ahmad bin Hanbal, God bless his soul, narrated that Abu Huraira, God be pleased
with him, said: "Woe unto the Arabs from a forthcoming inescapable evil!
Woe unto them, when a day comes, and callow youths govern them according to
their own whims, and who will kill in anger."
Abu Huraira, God be
pleased with him, then said: "Cheer up O Europeans (furunj), even
should the religion of Islam be hung on a high suspended chandelier, you will
surely have nations from among you who will embrace it correctly."
1046-
Abi Salma visited Abu
Huraira, God be pleased with him, during his last illness, and he prayed:
"O Allah cure Abu Huraira!" Abu Huraira immediately prayed: "O
my Lord, never send it back again to this world." He then added: "O
Salma, soon will come a day when people would prefer to be dead than to have
red gold."
1047-
Al-Hassan bin Müsa narrated
that Abu Huraira, God be pleased with him, also said during his last illness:
"When you see six signs in this world, should one of you have control over
the release of his soul, then do so, for this is why I prefer to die today
rather than to live, for I am afráid that of such trials to reach me; 1) When
the brazen ini Orent governs you; 2) when the government can be sold out; 3)
when atrocities, cruelty, and bloodshed become of no importance; 4) when
families are broken apart; 5) when the hafts of swords are broken; and 6) when
a new generation of Muslims compete in flutelike singing of the Qur'an."
Many more people dwelled
at Suffa, God be pleased with them, and many a times, they were quoted
as part of the chain of transmitters of prophetic Hadith. Among the most known,
we also note herein the names of these blessed companions, may Allah be pleased
with all of them:
71-
Al-Tafàwi
al-Düsi (also known as Abu Nadhra)
76-
Ju'ayl bnu Surâqa
al-Dhimri
77-
Khumays bnu Huthàfa
al-Sahmi[LXXVI]
78-
Sa 'ad bnu Abi Waqqàs,
(Cf. Section
3)
81-
Salem bin 'Ubaid
al-Ashja'i
83-
Salmàn al-Fàrisi (Also
see Ch/apter
III. Section
30)
All praises are due to
Allah, the Lord and Sustainer
of the universes,
and peace and blessings upon
our master Muhammad upon
whom be peace,
and upon his family and followers.
By the grace of Almighty
Allah,
and with His help, this volume of
The Beauty of The Righteous
& Ranks of The Elite
was completed this
Friday, July 28, 1995 C.E.
Rabï'ul Awwal 1, 1416 A.H.
Index of Selected
Quotes
& Points of
Reference
‘Ali is the most equitable judge among us ... 141
A believer finds no comfort.. .279
A charity I begged for.. .812
A disbeliever sometimes has a healthy body ...275
A group of people will be called the ‘Deficient
Ones ...860
Abraham remained in the fire for maybe forty or
fifty days ...32
Adam was created on a Friday ...1008
Ahadun Ahad! Ahadun Ahad! ... 318
Allah does not grant equal footing to ...285
Allah has divided reason (‘aq/j into three parts
...35
Allah is not looking at you? ...60
Allah loves a servant who is pious, content, and
unknown ...38, 1023
Among my entire Umma
(of followers), Mu’ath bin Jabal is the most knowledgeable person ... 2
Among my followers, I
love most a believer who controls his emotions ...41
Apply yourself with patience ...313
Are your walls damaged by humidity ...424
Ask for the help of my Master... 183
At thy command O messenger of Allah ... 1025
Avoid alarming those who may disapprove such knowledge ...727
Be content with what you have ...277
Bestow upon me the blessing of a fever ...641
Betrothing one of the hour! ...289
Beware of laughing excessively ...380
Beware of the divine justice ...543
Blessed are the sincere ones ...20
Blessed is the success of one who purifies
himself ...381
Coming your way are awful trials ...583
Define and resolve your worldly interests ...355
Do I have to I offer two sheep as Aq'iqa
for my newborn ...986
Do not backbite anyone ...889
Do not feel immune to punishment for your sins
...912
Do not mix with an insolent
person lest he influences you with his contumelies ... 107
Do you have a wife with whom you confide? ...774
Do you know what
obstructs people from seeking the hereafter ...656
Do you know who wins
sanctuary under God’s Throne on the Day of Judgment? ...21
Do what is morally correct ...996
[I] Arb. Àkhira: The conclusion of life in
this world and proceeding to the predestined life thereafter. The hereafter
is the commonly used term in modern English to describe the end of life in this
world, and the beginning of a permanent existence thereafter.
[II] Shat al-'Arab: North-Easte of Arabian
Peninsula.
[III] Khalâs bin 'Amru also reported this tradition,
re 'Ali, describing the epithet of Islam (acceptance of God's message),
while other narrators also reported this tradition, re al-Igba' bin Nabâta, re
'Ali, depicting Imán (faith).
[IV] That was his firstborn son's name, 'Abd Shams,
i.e., the sun worshiper, by which name he was patronymed.
[V] i.e., the Well of Badr, the first battle of the
believers against the Quraish unbelievers, near the city of Medina
[VII] Referring to the Meccan period during the early
days of Islam, and prior to the Muslim's Hijra, migration to Medina.
[VIII] Arb. làboot; E. casket, coffin.
[IX] God's messenger upon whom be peace, as the most
noble and perfect teacher, perceived a chain of events that will become a lucid
lesson for every believer, hence, his reply evolved thus.
[X] i.e., meaning Bilal bin Rabâh, God be forever
pleased with him.
[XI] Cf. Sirat Ibn Hisham.
[XII] Arb. Oqâ > E. Oke: an ancient weight
measure of approx. 2 and 3/4 lb.
[XIII] Cafez: a weight measure; a small bag.
[XIV] Arb. Mootân, the two malign conditions
people hate most.
[XV] The sequence of this narration is reported thus
by al-Hassan bin Sufyan.
[XVI] Tihâma: Coastal plains in the S.W. of the
Arabian peninsula.
[XVII] i.e., to teach his children knowledge about
Allah and the Religion of Islam.
[XVIII] In reference to impermissibility of giving
charity to a healthy person, this does not mean that one should not help his
brother when in need, but rather it connotes, and depending on one's means,
that such help may be considered as a gift or a loan.
[XIX] Arb. Sabiqiin; forerunners in responding
to God's message
[XX] Arb. Balqa.
[XXI] We must note here that it is commonly known
that Salmân al-Fârisi's story took place in Medina, the City of God's messenger
&, upon whom be peace, as supported by many prophetic traditions and
accounts reported by the companions. The entire story can also be found in the
book Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad). However, the above narration
is reported hereinabove as I found it in the book of Imam al- Asfahâni, Hilyat'ul
Awliya, and the reader will find in the next account 434, a variation of
the same story as quoted and reported by different narrators, referring to a
different gathering, and also as told by Salman al-Fàrisi, God be pleased with
him.
[XXII] Arb. bulgha, i.e., leather slippers.
[XXIII] Qur'an: Mary, Chapter XIX.
[XXIV] Qur'an; Joseph, Chapter XII.
[XXV] In another narration of the above tradition, it
is reported that during her torture, suddenly, Àgia looked up and smiled, and
whatever physical torture descended upon her, it felt painless, and that
boggled the minds of her torturers, who immediately stopped and called their
master to witness, but when Pharaoh arrived, Asiya, God be pleased with her,
had passed.
[XXVI] 'Uwaymir: i.e., one who lived a short life in
the world.
[XXVII] i.e., merely worried about their livelihood.
[XXVIII] It must be noted here that although the above
letter is sometimes attributed to God's messengeriS, upon whom be peace, and
should it be so, then it is probable that it was addressed to someone else, and
on an earlier date, since the son of Mu'âth died after the passing of God's
messenger Of-, upon whom be peace. It is also possible that a copy of
the above letter was sent to Mu'âth by one of the companions to comfort him
when his son passed.
[XXIX] Süra
BarS’a, Repentance, Qur'an,
Chapter 9
[XXX] Süra
Al-Saff, The Ranks, Qur'an
Chapter 61:1
[XXXI] The added quote to the above prophetic prayer
is attributed to the narration of al- Shu'aithi.
[XXXII] i.e., the Deceiver; Arb. Dajjâl, or the pseudo
Massiah.
[XXXIII] Logorrhea: Boils effecting the tongue; Arb. Tharab
al-Lissân, it could also mean glossorrhea, i.e., excessive use of
words.
[XXXIV] Specter: A visible appearance of something not
present, associated with the time of death.
[XXXV] i.e., resulting from long prostrations and hard
work.
[XXXVI] Perhaps this account denotes a time of monumental
spread of corruption and evil that cannot be reversed until Doomsday. Allah
knows best.
[XXXVII] Arb. farsakh, about three and one half
miles distance.
[XXXVIII] i.e., Five hundred years.
[XXXIX] A scarce fruit in the Arabian desert then.
[XL] Qur'an, Chapter 112, Sincerity.
[XLI] Arb. Tariqa, sing.; Tara’iq, pl.
[XLII] i.e., the footsteps of the camel of God's
messenger upon whom be peace.
[XLIII] i.e., How to interpret and explain the meaning
of the Qur'anic revelation.
[XLIV] i.e., Recapturing Mecca from the unbelievers.
[XLV] Shepherd staff: acrosier; Arb. mihjana
[XLVI] Arb. nasnâs; i.e., copycat, monkeys
[XLVII] Arb. tahnik: A tradition consisting of
giving the newborn a tiny bit of date, among other fruits when available,
chewed by a pious person or the patriarch of the family. At the time of God's
messenger upon whom be peace, he himself applied such practice for some of the
newborn children in his family among others.
[XLVIII] Talbiya, Arb.: responding to Almighty Allah's
call to humanity to perform the pilgrimage to His sacred House in Mecca, and as
it was proclaimed by God's prophet Abraham, upon whom be peace. Also see
Account 845, pp. 334.
[XLIX] E. awnings; ledge; Suffa-. a simple
semi-rooflike structure made of the branches and fibers of palm trees, raised
at the mosque of God's messenger upon whom be peace, and it served as shelter
for new visitors to Medina, whom no one knew, or those who wished to retreat at
the mosque to worship.
[L]Arb. sing, shaykh; pl. mashâyekh.
[LI] i.e.,from the people of Suffa.
[LII] This is an excerpt from the long account of a
morning conversation between God's messenger tt, upon whom be peace, and
the people of suffa, narrated by Mu'âwiya.
[LIII] This is an excerpt of a long account narrated
by Ja'far, re Thâbit al-Banâni, re Salman al-Fârisi.
1 Also
reported by Salmân al-Fârisi, ibid 957
[LIV] i.e., to draw more spiritual benefits out of
his faith.
[LV] [Qur'an 9:60]
[LVI] God's
messenger upon whom be peace, as the perfect and most noble teacher, perceived
a chain of events that will become a lucid lesson for every believer,
therefore, he replied thus to their condition in order to draw them in to sit
down with him, and for them to learn the correct religious stance.
[LVII] Also
reported by Omar bin Muhammad al-‘Anqazi.
[LVIII] ibid, i.e., al-Aqra' bin Hâbis and 'Uyaina bin Hign
al-Fazâri.
[LIX] meaning Abu Tharr al-Ghafâri and Salman
al-Fârisi, among other poor and weak Muslims, and at that time, this group of
pious Muslims had nothing to wear but mere woolen rags they took for cloaks.
[LX] This
happened to be the day of 'Ashura, the tenth day of the first lunar month,
called in Arabic Muharram.
[LXI] The
pseudo Messiah; also a portent sign of the Advent of Jesus; the second coming
of God's prophet and messenger Jesus, the son of Mary, upon both of whom be
peace. Cf. Sahih Bukhari, Vol. IV, see Hadith 567-568, pp. 436.
[LXII] Hawdh: The Pond of God's messenger h; a single sip of
its water will quench one's thirst eternally; also known as the heavenly Pond
of Eternal Youth.
[LXIII] Arb.
Thaqalayn: They also refer to the Qur'an and the prophetic Sunna
traditions.
[LXIV] i.e.,
Ahlu Suffa, Ci. Qur'an 42:23
[LXV] Cf.
Chapter III; Section 19, pp. 125
[LXVI] Also
see Chapter III, Section 30-Salmân al-Fârisi, Account 438, pp. 193
[LXVII] Cf.
His wife was Hafsa, the daughter of Omar bin al-Khattâb. He died in Medina, and
later on, God's messenger h, upon whom be peace, married her.
[LXVIII] Constantinople: Modern Istanbul, Turkey
[LXIX] Also narrated by Sa'ïd bnu Maryam, Muhammad bin
Sahl, and Ibn 'Asâkir.
’Apparently, prior to that event, Khuraym wore
his izar (wrapper) loosely, and he had long hair. Hence, psychology
worked.
[LXXI] Cf. 50- Habib bnu Zaid, account #968
[LXXII] meaning herself.
[LXXIII] This
hadïth is authenticated as s.ahih, and is also narrated and referenced
by several narrators. Cf. Signs of the Prophet; by Imam Abu Na'ïm al-Agfahâni,
re Ismâ'ïl bin Abi Khalid.
[LXXIV] Zikrullâh, Engaging in the remembrance of Allah: Invoking
His divine Attributes, and reading the Qur'an.
[LXXV] Abu'l Qâsim: God's messenger's patronym, upon
whom be peace ££, referring to his firstborn son al-Qasim who was born in Mecca
from his first wife Khadija, God be pleased with her, and which child died in
his enfancy.
[LXXVI] Cf. His wife was Hafsa, the daughter of Omar
bin al-Khattâb. He died in Medina, and later on, God's messenger Si,
upon whom be peace, married her.
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