Here are a few completely random quotes that caught my eye from the Imām of the Imāms, the Faqīh, the Walī, the one who needs no introduction, Imām al-A‘dham Nu’man ibn Thābit otherwise known as Imām Abū Hanīfah (radhyAllāhu ‘anhu). He wrote this piece to his illustrious and great student, theQādhī, Imām Abū Yūsuf Muhammad al-Shaybānī, an advice intended to all those who are in positions of authority such as the Scholars, the Students of Knowledge and the Du‘āt: those callers to Allāh who are followed by the people, their advice taken, their actions acted upon and copied.
This specific advice encompasses this great responsibility the People of Allāh have taken upon themselves, in order to help them, protect them, purify their intentions, and fulfil this role which has been accepted by Man, “Indeed he was Unjust, Ignorant.” (33:72)
(These gems have been collected by the Imām, the Hāfidh, Zayn’l-Dīn Ibn Nujaym (d. 970h) in his book“al-Ashbāhu w’l-Nadhā’ir ‘alā madhab Abī Hanīfah an-Nu’mān”.)
“Be with the Ruler like you are with the Fire, benefit from it, but keep your distance.”
To get close to those in authority has always been recognised as the way to becoming rich and successful and thus has always been very tempting and indeed many scholars suffered in falling for this trap; likewise today many activists are courted by world authorities in the same way. This excellent example above shows how one would act with fire, benefiting from it by keeping warm and using it as a fuel to survive, but not getting too close so as to get burnt. This was the way of our blessed Salaf, not wasting their days and nights cursing the Ruler or on the other hand, lavishing him with praise etc, but the middle way, ensuring the best for themselves and the society without compromising the Deen or their honour.
“Seek the sacred knowledge first and then pursue the earning of wealth…”
Because if one is to seek the earning of wealth at the time of learning, then you will be unable to seek the sacred ‘ilm after that because you’ll become occupied with your business, your accounts, buying and selling, the dunya, and then its women and then one is to be married and so on, all before the gaining of knowledge. And how many of us bear witness to this immense truth…
“When you are walking in the street, do not keep turning to your right and left, but keep your eyes on the floor.”
This wonderful quote comes under adab and might be difficult for some people to appreciate. As a person who is respected, one must also act with respect and honour. It is well known amongst the people of manners, that to unnecessarily look around and about, twitching nervously etc is an indication of one’s “instability” almost, and is considered even shameful and damaging to one’s noble character or what is known in Arabic as marū‘ah. Also, one should walk with purpose and intent as the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to do so, and not loiter around in the street, glancing here and there needlessly, also avoiding the risk of seeing things which are not good for one’s soul, as well as other harmful matters. It’s a hard precedent to follow in our time of visual delights which makes this statement all the more alluring.
“When you enter the Hammām don’t pay the same as the normal people, rather, pay more.”
This almost sounds insignificant, but the opposite could not possibly be truer. This is indeed the Prophetic Guidance in the transactions and business affairs of the society. When we look back at the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), we see a man of immense honour, always over-paying when doing some kind of business with his people, easy in bartering, happy to accept what the other party wishes, never looking to cheat the other party or to gain a penny here or there by being miserly.
The generous one is always seen in a good light, with honour, even and especially more so if they are not particularly rich. And the Dā‘ī and other callers to Allāh must never be looked down upon by society, for maybe your actions will lead to a people turning away from the blessed and perfect religion of Islām.
A Hammām by the way is a specific place, what we could best describe today in the West as a Turkish spa at the gym, although there are still a few in the Muslim cities in the East. Of course, the focus in this quote is not on the Baths themselves but rather the principle to be applied everywhere in daily life as I’ve explained above. The Hammām was chosen here because it was a very common place that people would frequent to get a nice hot bath, although it did develop a bad-name after a while once illicit activities started to proliferate there.
“Do not be satisfied with that amount of worship except so that it is more than what the rest do.”
This is very important for those who are seen as examples for the community, for if the people in the society do not see you to be increasing in these acts of ‘ibādah, they will then believe that that you have little desire for the religion, and even worse, that your knowledge has not benefited you at all. So if that is what they see from you, then how will they have the desire to increase in there ownactions? And this is vital for the Du‘āt to know and understand, and know also that this is not contradicting the principles of ikhlās and pure intention just as long as you follow the final piece of golden advice, given by the Imām below.
“Do (worship) in private as you do in public.”
This kind of statement is well known amongst the pious predecessors, and is seen as the perfect cure to showing off and the dangers of riyā’. When one is required to be strict in front of the people and constantly wary of the attention of others whilst you teach, advise, and guide, one allows the perfect opportunity for the devious Shaytān to enter and try and ruin the intentions, and make ones’ actions for the sake of fame and the people. Therefore, follow this simple principle: worship Allāh in private as excellently and perfectly as you do in public in front of the people. This is the real worship of Allāh, the actions of those who are al-Muqarrabūn, al-Mukhlisūn, those close, sincere and beloved to His Majesty; those who stand in the night prayer knowing that it is Allāh alone who Sees them now; those who pay sadaqah so privately, the left hand does not even know what the right hand gave; those who look after the families, their next of kin, involve themselves with good work, all whilst the rest of the people are unaware. This is the ‘ibādah of the pious, the blessed. May Allāh give us the tawfīq to be from them, amīn.
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