Part 9

Do not delve into a science before mastering what comes before it. Read how the most complete of us used to seek knowledge and act accordingly, and do not be pleased with less than that. The poet has said:

In faults of men I have not seen anything Like the shortcoming of the able in achieving completeness

Know also, that Sacred Knowledge raises the status of the lowly. Indeed, many scholars used to be unknown and unappreciated before becoming scholars. ‘Ata ibn Abi Rabah,” for example, was black and not pleasant looking. Sulaiman ibn ‘Abd al-Malik,*” who was the caliph at that time, came to him with his two sons

” ‘Ata ibn Abt Rabah Aslam. Al-Hafiz al-Dhahabi said: “The Imam, Shaikh alIslam and the Mufti of Haram, Abi Muhammad al-Qurashi, their freed slave from Makkah. His loyalty is said to have been for people of Jumah, He was raised with al-Janad and grew up in Makkah. He was born during the caliphate of ‘Uthman.’ ‘Ata was black, one eyed, snub-nosed, lame and limping and finally became blind as well. He was a trustworthy narrator, a jurist, a scholar, a narrator of many hadiths and was the most knowledgeable concerning the rules of pilgrimage. Refer to his biography: Ibn Sa'd: al: Tabagat, 5/467, Tahthib al-Kamal, 938, al-‘Ibar, 1/141, Siyar al-A‘lim al-Nubula’, 5/78, al-Bidayah wa'lNihayah, 9/306, al-‘Aga al-Thamin, 6/84, Shatharat al-Thahab, 1/147. The narration was related by: al-Khatib al-Baghdadi: a/-Fagih wa al-Mutafaggib, 1/31, who made this chapter heading regarding it: “Those who rose from being slaves to siting in the gatherings of the kings.”

Beware of Pitfalls and Obstacles

and asked him about the rites of pilgrimage. He answeted whilst turning his face away from them. The caliph said to his sons: “Get up and do not be indolent or lazy in seeking knowledge, as I shall never forget this humiliation in front of this black slave.”

* Al-Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan Yasar al-Basri Abii Sa‘id, the freed slave of Zaid ibn Thabit, the example of ascetic scholars and one of the great characters of the Tabi‘in. He died in 110. Ayyiib al-Sakhtiyani said: “Had you seen him you would have said that you have never sat with a scholar of jurisprudence.” Abu Ja‘far al-Baqir said: ‘That is the person whose speech resembles that of the Prophets.’ Refer to his biography: Ibn Sa‘d: alTabagat, 7/156, Hilyatn’LAuliya’, 2/131, Ahmad: ab-Zuhd, 2/225, Sar al-Alim al-Nubuld, 4/563, Tathkirat alAuffaz, 1/66. Ibn al-Jawzi has dedicated a book for the life and virtues of this Imam which is printed and available.

Y SON, STRIVE HARD TO PROTECT your honor from running after this world and having to lower yourself to its people. Be content and you shall live honorably. A saying goes: ‘Whoever is content with bread and vegetables will not be subjugated by anyone.’ A Bedouin once passed by Basra and said: ‘Who is the Master of this city?” It was said to him: ‘Al-Hasan al-Basri.’ He said: ‘And how did he become their master?’ They said: “He had no need of their worldly

effects but they were in need of his knowledge”.

* Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said in his explanation of Abi al-Darda’s hadith (p. 150-152): “He who spreads his knowledge to the people and speaks to them must be very careful of not asking things from them. He must not be covetous for any of their wealth or provisions nor wish to win their hearts. He should just spread his knowledge and be content with not hoping anything from them through careful godliness. This is because greed of worldly matters and yearning them are ugly traits especially when found in a scholar.”

Tbn Rajab related this story while explaining the hadith of Abii al-Darda’: ‘Whoever takes a path that he shall seck knowledge on...(p. 154)’ May Allah have mercy on al-Hasan who said: “Everything has something staining it, and

Know, my son, that my father was a rich man who left wealth worth thousands behind him. When I reached puberty, I was given twenty dinars and two houses and I was told it was all he had left. I took the dinars and bought books of Sacted Knowledge with them. I sold the houses and spent the money in my pursuit of knowledge. Nothing remained of the wealth 1 had inherited. Your father has never humiliated himself in his quest for knowledge nor has he gone around cities like other preachers have. He has never sent a note asking something from others and all his affairs are running smoothly:

baad aOR eas For him who fears Allah, He shall make a way out and

provide for Him from places he could not expect. {Sarah at-Talag ; 2-3]

the stain of Sacred Knowledge is covetousness.” How excellent are the words of al-Imam al-Khattabi about al-Hasan al-Basti (a/-‘Uzid, p. 235): “Who will do the job today like al-Hasan with his sincerity of advice and moving admonishment? May Allah rectify us and our rulers, for they are corrupt because of our sins.”

True Fear of Allah Results in all Good

Y SON, WHEN FEAR OF ALLAH IS REAL, you

shall see all good. A person who truly fears his Lord

does not care about others and does not put himself in a position where his religion is at risk. Whoever takes care of Allah’s limits shall be taken care of by Him. Allah’s messenger (% said to Ibn ‘Abbas: “Safeguard Allah and He will safeguard you. Safeguard Allah and you will find Him in front of you.”*”

True Fear of Allah Results in all Good

Do not forget, my son, that it was the good deeds that Yinus had in store that saved him from hardship. Allah Mighty and Sublime says:

Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, he would have remained inside its belly till the day they will be resurrected.

It was also the evil deeds that Fir‘aun had stored for himself

that rendered him unable to find an escape when disaster befell him. He was told:

Bet eee ler te Is it now you believe while having disobeyed before.

So store good deeds arising from ‘aqua for yourself and you shall see the results.

It was reported in a hadith that the Prophet (4g) said: “There is no youth who fears Allah in his youth except that Allah raises him

in status when he is old.”**

Allah Most High says:

% Refer to: Hiatu’l-Aulya’, 4/139.

Die gp WG tess

And when he attained manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus We reward the doets of good. [Yasuf : 22] And

Fes ees Tie SOIR are

Truly, he who fears Allah and has patience, then surely, Allah does not let the reward of the good doers be lost.

Know that the best actions you can store is lowering your gaze from the forbidden, not speaking without need, staying away from punishable deeds and preferring Him, Glorious is He, over your soul's desire. You are well aware of the hadith of the three who entered the cave and then the rock blocked its entrance. One of them said: “O Allah, I had my parents and children. I used to stand by my parents with milk and let them drink from it before my kids. If I did that for Your sake, help us now.” One third of the rock moved away. The second one said: “Allah, I hired a worker who wasn’t pleased with his salary, so I made business with it. Then, one day he came to me and said: Will you not fear Allah and give me my salary?’ so I said: ‘Go to those cows and the people who look after them and take them.’ If I did that for Your sake, help us now.” Another third of the rock moved away. The