. I '

' ' *'."311 . -4 * ,I-, .I' . . ,I I '0. d 1 ,I ~ ; : ~ ; ~ J ~ ' l $ l l ; ; & l + , l ~ @ ' y - f l ~ p u X i I I I I (Y '\GJ:&.4$ i),.d) (@ WlS .I In the name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Alif Laam Raa. These are the verses of the clear Book (the Qur'aan). Undoubtedly We have revealed it (the Qur'aan) as an Arabic Qur'aan so that you may understand. We narrate to you a most beautiful story in this Qur'aan that We reveal to you.

Before this you were of the unwary. {Surah Yusuf, verses 1-3) Hadhrat Umar W , W j recited the verses thrice and hit the man thrice. Again the man asked, "What have I done, 0 Ameerul Mu'mineen?" Hadhrat Umar WW$ said, "You are the person who wrote the scriptures of Daaniyaal @I!+%." "I am prepared to do whatever you instruct me," the man said. Hadhrat Umar then said to him, "Go and erase it with (pouring) hot water (over it) and (the wiping with) white wool. I neither want you to read it or to give it to anyone else to read. If the news reaches me that you had read it or had given it to someone else to read, I shall punish you very severely." Hadhrat Umar BGw then told the man to sit down, and when he sat in front of Hadhrat Umar %GWj, the Ameerul Mu'mineen narrated, "I once copied a scripture from the Ahlul Kitaab on a piece of leather.

When Rasulullaah asked me what it was I had in my hand, I said, ' 0 Rasulullaah m! It is a scripture that I copied to supplement the knowledge we have.' ~asuluilaah @@ then became s o angry that his cheeks flamed red. (By the instruction of Rasulullaah w) The announcement 'As Salaatu Jaami'ah' was made (to ggther the people), to which the Ansaar said, 'Take your weapons! Take your weapons! Your Nabi k$$?# has been angered.' The people then amassed around Rasulullaah W ' s pulpit.

RasuluIIaah %I@ said, '0 people! I have been granted speech that is comprehensive, conclusive, yet very concise. I have also brought to you a creed that it exceptionally pure. Therefore, you need never be confused and THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @g#%3 (Vol-3) never allow yourselves to be deceived by the confused ones (the Ahlul Kitaab) ."' Hadhrat Umar - continues, "I then stood up and said, 'I am satisfied with Allaah as my Rabb, with Islaam as my religion and with you as my Nabi.' Rasulullaah @% then descended from the pulpit." (I) Hadhrat Jaabir %!3Wi narrates that Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab BGWj once brought to Rasulullaah @%$ a scripture that he got from some people of the Ahlul Kitaab. "0 Rasulullaah @@!" he said, "I just got an excellent scripture from some people of the Ahlul Kitaab." Rasulullaah @%$ became angry and said, "Are you people in doubt, 0 son of Khattaab?

I swear by the Being Who controls my life! What I have brought to you is clear and pure. You therefore have no need to ask them. (The danger is that) They might tell you some truth that you may reject or tell you some false that you may believe. I swear by the Being Who controls my life that even if Moosa @!% was alive, he would have no option but to follow me."(2) Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Thaabit Wi@!3 narrates that Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab $23G5@% once came to Rasulullaah and said, "I was passing by a friend frenr, .the (Jewish) Banu Qurayzah tribe, so he ,wrote down for me some quotations from the Torah.

Should I read them to you." When Rasulullaah m ' s face started reddening (with anger), Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Thaabit %,Em said to Hadhrat Umar ?&%W, "Can you not see Rasulullaah @?@'s face?" Hadhrat Umar %EM immediately exclaimed, "I am satisfied with Allaah as my Rabb, with Islaam as my religion and with Muhammad $i%% as my Nabi." Rasulullaah m ' s anger then subsided and he said, "I swear by the Being Who controls the life of Muhammad! If Moosa @&& had to be amongst you and you leave me to follow him, you would certainly go astray. You are meant to be my Ummah and I am meant to be your ~ a b i . " ( ~ ) Hadhrat Umar ~ ~ & j Rebukes a man who told him That he Found a Scripture with wonderful Content Hadhrat Maymoon bin Mahraan narrates that a man came to Hadhrat Umar saying, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! When we conquered Madaa'in, I found a scripture with wonderful content." "Is the content consistent with the Book of Allaah?" Hadhrat Umar ~ , W j asked.

When the man said that it was not, Hadhrat Umar %= sent for his whip, lashed the'man and recited the verse: (1) Abu Ya'la. Haythami (Vol.1 Pg.182) has commented on the chain of narrators. Ibnul Mundhir, Ibn Abi Haatim, Uqayli, Nasr Maqdasi, Sa'eed bin Mansoor and Abdur ~ a u a a q have reported a similar narration, as quoted in Kanzul Urnrnaal (Vol. 1 Pg.94). (2) Ibn Abdul Birr in his Jaami (Vo1.2 Pg.42). Ahmad, Abu Ya'la. and Bazaar have reported a similar narration but Haythami (Vol. 1 Pg.174) has commented cn the chain of narrators.

(3) Ahmad and Tabraani. Haythami (Vol. 1 Pg. 174) has commented on the chain of narrators. THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @,%b&j' (vol-3) , -4 , ,I-, , , , ,r r , # I E )@ > , * ' &&~&~J;Y$\\L&\G,\~#I~\+&# , , I (r c\wi:-9i~y) $0 ,'+21> ,. In the name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Alif Laam Raa.

These are the verses of the clear Book (the Qur'aan). Undoubtedly We have revealed it (the Qurhan) as an Arabic Qur'aan so that you may understand. We narrate to you a most beautiful story in this Qur'aan that We reveal to you. Before this you were of the unwary. {Surah Yusuf, verses 1-3) He then said, "Those before you (the Jews and Christians) were destroyed only because they forsook the Torah and Injeel and turned to the books of their scholars and priests. These two scriptures then eventually disappeared along with the knowledge they contained." Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood ?&XGw and Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas !&!Ew Condemn Questioning The Ahlul Kitaab Hadhrat Hurayth bin Zuhayr reports that Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood - said, "Never question the Ahlul Kitaab about anything because since they are misguided, they cannot guide you.

(The danger is that) They might tell you. some truth that you may reject or tell you some false that you may believe." Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood B,- also said, "If you have to ask them (the Ahlul Kitaab), then consider what they say. If it coincides with the teachings of Allaah's Book, you may accept it, but you must reject it if it does not." (3) Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas B,w once said, "How can you people ask the Ahlul Kitaab about anything when you have with you the Book that Allaah has revealed to His Nabi @?@, which happens to be the latest scripture from your Rabb? It is new and has not been interpolated. Has Allaah not informed you in His Book that they (the Ahlul Kitaab) had altered Allaah's scriptures (the Torah and Injeel) with their own hands and said that it was from Allaah? This was done only to earn some meagre worldly profits.

Does the knowledge that has come to you not prevent you from asking them? By Allaah! I have never seen any of them asking you about what Allaah has revealed!" (4) Another narration states that Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas ?&%3&5 said, 'You ask the Ahlul Kitaab about their scriptures when you have Allaah's Book which is the latest of Allaah's scriptures? It is new, has not been interpolated and you are even able to read it." (5) (1) Nasr Maqdasi, as quoted in Kanzul Urnmaal (Vol. l Pg.95). (2) Ibn Abdul Birr in his Jaami (Vo1.2 Pg.40).

Abdur Razzaaq has reported a similar narration. . (3) Ibn Abdul Birr in his Jaami (Vol.2 Pg.42). Tabraani has reported a similar narration from reliable sources as confirmed by Haythami (Vol. 1 Pg.192). (4) Ibn Abdul Birr in his Jaami (Vo1.2 Pg.42). (5) Ibn Abi Shaybah, as quoted in the Jaami of Ibn Abdul Birr.

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @%$&% (Vol-3) Being affected by the Knowledge of Allaah 5' 91' Y and His Rasool@& Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah B,Gw and Hadhrat Mu'aawiya B,Gwj are Affected by a Hadith of Rasulullaah @@ Hadhrat Shufay Asbahi narrates, "Upon entering Madinah one day, I saw many people gathered around a particular man. When I asked who the man was, I was informed that he was Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah ?&!3W45. I then went close and sat down in front of him as he narrated Ahadeeth. After he had completed and was alone, I asked, 'I ask you in the name of the rights (1 have upon you in that I am a Muslim, a traveller and a student) to narrate to me a Hadith that you heard from Rasulullaah @% and that you understood well.' He said, 'By all means. I shall narrate to you a Hadith that Rasulullaah @%$ narrated to me and which 1 understand well.' He then sighed so deeply that he was close to falling unconscious.

We waited a while until he regained his composure and said, '1 shall relate to you a Hadith that Rasulullaah @# narrated to me in this very house when there was none here besides him and 1. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah - j then again sighed so deeply that he was close to falling unconscious. When he regained his composure, he wiped his face and said, 'I shall relate to you a Hadith that Rasulullaah @?@ narrated to me in this very house when there was none here besides him and I, Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah %W&j then again sighed so deeply that he actually fell on his face. I held him up for a long while and when he regained consciousness, he said, 'Rasulullaah k%% narrated to me that on the Day of Qiyaamah, every ndtion will bgsn its knees when Allaah will descend to pass judgement between the people. The first to be summoned (for reckoning) will be the person who memorised the Qur'aan, the person who was martyred in the path of Allaah and the man with plenty of wealth.

Addressing the Qaari, Allaah wi4l say, 'Did I not teach you that which I revealed to my messenger?' 'Indeed you did, 0 my Rabb!' he will respond. Allaah will ask him further, 'And what did you do with that which I taught you?' He will reply, 'I recited it day and night.' 'You are lying,' Allaah wcl declare. The angels will reiterate saying, 'You are lying.' Allaah will then add, 'Your only motive was that people should call you a Qaari, which they have already done.' Next, the wealthy man will be summoned. Allaah will ask him, 'Did I not grant you plenty so that you never depended on anyone else?' 'Indeed you have, my Rabb!' he will admit. 'Then what did you do with that which I gave you?' Allaah will ask.

He man will say, 'I used to maintain family ties and give charity.' You are lying,' Allaah will declare. 'You are lying,' the angels will reiterate. Allaah will then say, 'Your only motive was that people should call you a generous person, which they have already done.' THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH mm (Vol-3) Next to be summoned will be the one who was martyred in the path of ALlaah. Allaah will ask him, 'For what objective were you killed?' His reply will be, 'because we were commanded to fight in Jihaad, I fought until I was killed.' You are lying,' Allaah will declare. You are lying,' the angels will reiterate.

Allaah will then say, 'Your only motive was that people should call you a brave person, which they have already done.' Rasulullaah @%% then hit his hands on my knees and said, '0 Abu Hurayrah! These three will be the first of Allaah's creation with whom the fire of Jahannam will be fuelled on the Day of Qiyaamah."' (After hearing this Hadith from Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah 4@GW4;) Hadhrat Shufay then went to Hadhrat Mu'aawiya - and narrated the Hadith to him. Hadhrat Alaa bin Hakeem says that Hadhrat Shufay was the person who tended to Hadhrat Mu'aawiya !8GWj's swords. He reports, "When this Hadith from Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah %,Wj was narrated to Hadhrat Mu'aa-wiya $EU&?+j, Hadhrat Mu'aawiya S3W remarked, 'If this is what will happen to these three, what about the rest of mankind?' He then wept so much that we thought he would acpire. Wesaid, Thismanhascemly brought a calamity upon us (by upsetting the Khalifah in this manner)!' When Hadhrat Mu'aawiya %@.Wj regained his composure, he wiped his face and said, 'Allaah and His Rasool @@ have certainly spoken the truth when they say: Whoever desires the life of this world and its splendour (without a concern for the Aakhirah), We shall grant them the full rewards for their (goo4 deeds in this very world and they will not be wronged (they will not be given less than they deserve).

They are the ones who shall have only the Fire for themselves in the Aakhirah.' Whatever (good actions) they did in the world will be lost to them (in the Aakhirah) and all their (good) deeds will be in vain (because they will see no rewards for these in the Aakhirah where they will require them most. This is because they acted on/yfor world/yobjectives), {Surah Hood, verses 1516)(l) Hadhrat Abu Salamah bin Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf - reports that when Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar SiUW6 and Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr bin Al Aas %,- met at Marwa, they started discussing Ahadeeth. When Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr WWj left, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar 4 - remained there weeping. "What makes you weep so much, 0 Abu Abdur Rahmaan?" someone asked. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Wm replied, "That man Abdullaah bin Amr ?&WWj says that he heard Rasulullaah say, 'Allaah will throw a person headlong into the fire of Jahannam if he has pride equal to (1) Tirmidhi (Vo1.2 Pg.61).

Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vol.1 Pg.28) states that Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan have both reported similar narrations. THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @C@&%.k (Vol-3) even a mustard seed in his heart."'(') Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Rawaaha !&BW? and Hadhrat Hassaan @ , G 5 Weep when Allaah Revealed the Verse: "Only deviant people follow the poets" Hadhrat Abul Hasan the freed slave of the Banu Naufal tribe reports that Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Rawaaha %&3W and Hadhrat Hassaan bin Thaabit ?B!XI%'(both acclaimed poets) came weeping to Rasulullaah @?@ when Allaah revealed Surah TaaSeenMeem Shu'araa. Rasulullaah @@ recited to them the verses: Only deviant people follow the poets (by repeating those poems of theirs that contain rambling speech and useless talk). Do you not see that they (poets) wander lost (distracted) in every valley (have no direction and tend to sway to the extremes)? And :(do you not see) that they say things which they never do?

(Such is the condition ofallpoets) Except.those who have Imaan, who do good acts, who remember Allaah abundantly and who avenge themselves after being oppressed (by counteracting the satirical poetry that the Kuffaar direct at islaam and at Rasulullaah @% with poetry of their own). {Surah Shu'araa, verses 224-227) When Rasulullaah @@ recited the verse "Except those who have maa an, who do good acts ", he said, "That refers to you." Thereafter, when he recited "who remember Allaah abundantly", he again said, "That refers to you". Again, when reciting the verse "and (those) who avenge themselves after being oppressedn, he said, "That refers to you." (2) The People of Yemen Weep when they Hear the ar'aan During the Khilaafah of Hadhrat Abu Bakr s,gwj Hadhrat Abu Saalih narrates thatwhen some people from Yemen came to Madinah during the Khilaafah of Hadhrat Abu Bakr W , W and heard the Qur'aan, they started weeping excessively. To this, Hadhrat Abu Bakr - remarked (in humility), "That is how we used to be, but then hearts started to harden." Hadhrat Abu Nu'aym explains that the phrase "hearts started to harden" means that their hearts strengthened and became content with the recognition of Allaah. (3) (1) Targheeb war Tarheeb (Vo1.4 Pg.345). (2) Haakim (Vo1.3 Pg.488).

(3) Abu Nu'aym in his Hilya, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vol.1 Pg.224). THE LIVES OF THE SANABAH (Vol-3) A Warning to the Aalim who does not Teach others and to Ignorant Person who does not Learn Hadhrat Abzah Abu t)bdur Rahmaan ?&IG&!G3 reports that Rasulullaah @$% once praised certain groups of the Muslims in his sermon. Thereafter, Rasulullaah said, "What is the matter with certain tribes who neither make their neighbouring tribes understand Deen, nor do they teach it to them, explain it to them, enjoin them (to do good) or forbid them (from evil)? What also is the matter with other tribes who neither learn from their neighbours nor make an attempt to understand the Deen or to be conversant with it? Take note that people will have to teach Deen to their neighbours, explain it to them, enjoin them (to do good) and forbid them (from evil).

At the same time, others will have to learn Deen from their neighbours and make an attempt to understand it, otherwise they will all be punished very soon in this very world." Rasulullaah @@ then descended from the pulpit and entered his room. "Who do you think Rasulullaah was referring to?" some people asked. "We think that he must have been referring to the Ash'ar tribe who have a good understanding of Deen while their neighbours are uncultured Bedouins living at an oasis. When the news reached the people of the Ash'ar tribe, they came to Rasulullaah &@@ and said, "0 Rasulullaah @&%! Why is it that when you praised some people, you criticised us?

What have we done?" Rasulullaah %& replied, " that people will have to teach Deen to their neighbours, explain it to them, enjoin them (to do good) and forbid them (from evil). At the same time, others will have to learn Deen from their neighbours and make an attempt to understand it, otherwise they will all be punished very soon in this very world." "0 Rasulullaah w!" they pleaded, "Will we be held responsible for the wrongs of others?" When Rasulullaah &&% repeated his words, they again asked, "0 Rasulullaah @@! Will we be held responsible for the wrongs of others?" This time again, Rasulullaah @@ repeated what he had said. They then requested Rasulullaah for a year's grace to educate their neighbours and to give them a sound understanding of Deen. Rasulullaah granted them the grace.

Rasulullaah then recited the verse: Those of the Bani Israa'eel who committed kufr were cursed on the tongues of Dawood @~ and Isa #%& the son of Maryam. That was because they were disobedient and they overstepped the limits (of their religion). ((Amongthereasonsfor which they were cursed was that) They would never prevent each other from the evil that they used to carry out. Evil indeed was that which they did (not preventing each other THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH (VOI-3) .tiom sinfulacts). {Surah Maa'idah, verses 78-79)(') Allaah will Grant Whoever Strives to Gain Knowledge and Imaan The Words of Hadhrat Mu'aadh ~ , E w to a Man who Was Weeping by his Bedside before his Death Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Salamah narrates that a man came to (the bedside 00 Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal 9,w and started to weep. "What makes you weep?" Hadhrat Mu'aadh 4= asked.

The man replied, "By Allaah! I am neither crying because of the ties of kinship we have nor because of the material gains 1 used to get from you. What makes me weep is the fear that the knowledge I used to glean from you will soon come to an end." Hadhrat Mu'aadh SZ@!2j consoled him saying, "0 not cry because whoever strives to acquire knowledge and Imaan, Allaah will grant them to him just as He granted Hadhrat Ibraheem @$& during times when there was no knowledge and Imaan." (2) Hadhrat Haarith bin Umayrah reports that when Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal %lW was about to pass away, the people around him started to cry. "What makes you people cry?" he asked. They replied, "We are crying because of the knowledge that will stop coming to us when you pass away." Hadhrat Mu'aadh %I!%& said, "Verily knowledge and Imaan shall remain as they are until the Day of Qiyaamah.

Whoever searches for them shall find them in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. While you ought to judge every piece of information by the standards of the Qur'aan, never judge the Qur'aan by the standards of any piece of information. Seek knowledge from Umar %3@&5, Uthmaan Bw and Ali W%Xi and if you do not meet them, seek knowledge from four men; from Uwaymir %%W?j (Abu Dardaa %'@,Wj), Abdullaah bin ~ a s ' o o d wW, Salmaan ?3%3?3 and from Abdullaah bin Salaam B.=, who had been a Jew before becoming a Muslim. In fact, I heard Rasulullaah @@ say that he (Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Salaam @,W) will be the tenth of ten people to enter Jannah (without reckoning). You must however ensure that you beware of the mistakes of an Aalim.

You should accept the truth from whoever brings it to you and reject falsehood from whoever brings it to you, regardless of who the person may be." (3) Hadhrat Yazeed bin Umayrah narrates, "During the illness that claimed his life, Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal !B3&G would often fall unconscious and then regain consciousness. When he once fell unconscious for a long time, we feared that he had passed away. When he regained consciousness, I was standing in front of him crying. What makes you cry?' he asked. 1 replied by saying, 'By Allaah! It is not because of the worldly benefits I received from you that I am weeping and ( I ) Ibn Raahway, Bukhaari in his Wahdaan, Ibnus Sakan, Ibn Mandah, Tabraani, Abu Nu'aym, Ibn Asaakir, Baawardi and Ibn Mardway, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vo1.2 Pg. 139).

(2) Abu Nu'aym in his Hilya (Vol. 1 Pg.234). (3) Ibn Asaakir and Sayf, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vo1.7 Pg.87). THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @g%5 (Vol-3) 21 7 also not because of our kinship. What makes me weep is the departure of the knowledge (of Deen) and knowledge of Islaamic law that I had been acquiring from you.' His response was, 'Do not weep because knowledge and Imaan shall remain as they are and whoever seeks them shall surely find them. Seek them as Ibraheem 6@&!i sought them.

When he had not acquired them full;, he asked Allaah saying: 'I am going to (a place where) my Rabb (has commanded me to go), (it is onfyAJfaah) Who will soon guide me.' {Surah Saaffaat, verse 991 After I die, seek knowledge from four persons. If you canllor C T I ~ what you seek with any one of them, then ask the people for the best amone.-+ 'hem. The four *L;&j, men are Abdullaah bin Mas'ood %Ed%j, Abdullaah L!n F3laam """""' Salmaan !3= and Uwaymir Abu Dardaa 51G5W. You skiould dlso beware of the blunders of the wise and the verdict of a hypocrite.' 'How will I identify the blunder of a wise man?' I asked. He ex?lained, 'It is misguided speech that Shaytaan casts on the tongue of a man which he utters without thinking.

However, it sometimes also occurs that a hypocrite speaks what is true. You should therefore absorb sound knowledge from wherever it comes to you because there is light in the truth. Matters that are dubious should however be avoided."'(') Hadhrat Arnr bin Maymoon narrates, "We were in Yemen when Hadhrat Mu'aadh bin Jabal - came there and addressed us saying, '0 people of Yemen! Accept lslaam and live in peace. I am the envoy of Rasulullaah &$% to you.' Since then, I took a liking to him and never parted from him until he passed away.

When he was leaving the world and I started to weep, he asked, What makes you cy3' I replied, 'I am weeping because of the knowledge that will be leaving with you.' He consoled me saying, Verily knowledge and Imaan shall remain until the Day of Qiyaamah ..." The rest of the narration is similar to the ones above. Learning Imaan, knowledge and Practise All at the Same Time The Statements of Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar B,Gi&%j, Hadhrat Jundub bin Abdullaah %lEW and Hadhrat Ali ~ E W j in this Regard Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar - said, "During the greater portion of my life I have seen that a man (from the Sahabah @=) learns Imaan before the Qur'aan. Whenever a Surah was revealed to Muhammad @&%, the man would learn what was proclaimed lawful and unlawfut and where it was appropriate to stop just as you people learn the (words of the) Qur'aan itself. However, I now (1) Haakirn (Vo1.4 Pg.466). (2) Ibn Asaakir, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol.7 Pg.87). 21 8 THE LlVES OF THE SAHABAH wm (Val-3) see people learning the Qur'aan before lmaan and while they have read from Surah Faatiha up to the end of the Qur'aan, they have no idea about what the Qur'aan instructs and what it prohibits.

They also do not know where it is appropriate to stop and scatter the verses about like unwanted dates." ('I Hadhrat Jundub bin Abdullaah ~ , - said, "We were youngsters almost coming of age when we learnt Imaan before the Qur'aan with Rasulullaah w. When we then learnt the Qur'aan, our Imaan grew even stronger." (21 Hadhrat Ali !&G%IGj once said, "Whenever a Surah, a verse or a few verses were revealed during the time of Rasulullaah @%, it would serve to strengthen the Imaan and submission of the Mu'mineen and if it contained a prohibition, they would immediately abstain." (3)