Speaking The Truth - the Example of Abu Hazim
uploaded 29 Jun 2006
uploaded 29 Jun 2006
Uthman (r.a.) exhorted people to acquire two habits, namely: the habit of speaking the truth; the habit of doing good deeds.
However we live in times in which sections of society in terms of the leaders, organisations, wealthy, Ulama and writers are not what they should be and have not stood in the face of oppression and Munkar as they ought to have done. What is more is that due to either fear or admiration many Muslims have refrained from speaking the truth to these politicians, army officers, Ulama, leaders of groups, writers and the wealthy people.
It is with this situation that the following example of Abu Hazim serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking the truth.
During one of his visits to Madinah, the Khalifah Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik (54 - 99 A.H.) wanted to meet someone who had lived with a Companion of the Prophet if such a man was still alive. This was the Sulayman that would recommend Syedna Umar bin Abdul Aziz as the next Khalifah. However he was also responsible for the killing of Muhammad bin Qasim as he took revenge from the relatives of Hajjaj bin Yusuf. Overall because of his good character he was known as Miftahul Khair (Key to goodness). On being informed that Abu Hazim was the only such person, he sent for him.
Sulayman first complained that Abu Hazim had shown discourtesy by not coming to meet him on his own. Abu Hazim replied, "O' Chief of the Muslims, may Allah protect you from saving something that is not true. You did not know my name before today, nor had I ever seen you. How could then I have come to meet you?" As Sulayman looked around Imam Zuhri said: "Abu Hazim is right."
He then continued: "Abu Hazim, how is it that I don't like to die?"
"The reason is simple. You have decorated and embellished this world, and turned your habitation in the other world into a desert. Naturally, you don't like to leave a flourishing city for a desert."
Sulayman: "What would it be like when we appear before Allah tomorrow?"
Abu Hazim: "The man who has been doing good deeds will appear before Allah like the man who returns from a travel to his loved ones, while the man who has been doing evil deeds will appear like the runaway slave who has now been brought back to his master."
Sulayman burst into tears, and said with a sigh, "I wish we could know how Allah would deal with us." Abu Hazim replied, "Assess your deeds in the light of the Book of Allah, and you will know."
"Which verse of the Holy Qur'an can help us do so?"
"Here is the verse: 'Surely the righteous shall be in bliss, and the transgressors shall be in a fiery furnace.'" [Al-Infitar: 82:13-14]
Sulayman: "Allah's mercy is great; it can cover even the wrong-doers." Abu Hazim replied with another verse: "Surely the Mercy of Allah is close to those who do good deeds." [Al-A'raf: 7:56]. There are many who try to justify their crooked ways using this argument. This gentle reminder may help rid them of their complacency. We should first change our behavior so we can deserve Allah's mercy. Then we should hope for it.
Sulayman continued: "Tell me, Abu Hazim, who is the most honorable among the servants of Allah?"
"Those who are mindful of their fellow-human beings, and possess the right kind of understanding to know the truth."
Sulayman: "Which is best among good deeds?"
Abu Hazim: "Fulfilling the obligations laid down by Allah, and keeping away from what He has forbidden." This answer is important in setting our priorities right. For many times people pay attention to nawafil (voluntary deeds) while ignoring faraid (obligatory deeds) and indulging in sins.
"Which supplication (dua) is likely to be accepted by Allah?"
"The dua of a man for you for whom you have done some good." This is not a minor point. If the rulers and all people in authority were driven by the desire to earn duas from the people they ruled, the crisis of governance in the Muslim world could be ended.
"What is the best form of charity?"
"Giving as much as one can, in spite of one's own need, to a man in misery without trying to make him feel grateful and without torturing him with reminders of your favors."
"Which is the best form of speech?"
"Speaking the truth plainly and unreservedly before the man who can harm you in some way or from whom you expect a favor."
"What kind of man is the wisest?"
"He whose actions are governed by obedience to Allah, and who invites others as well to it."
"What kind of man is the most foolish?"
"He who helps another man in committing some injustice, which mean that he is exchanging his iman for the worldly gains of the other person."
Sulayman agreed with all this and then asked him pointedly, "What do you think of me?" Abu Hazim wanted to be excused from replying to such a direct question, but Sulayman insisted. Abu Hazim said: "O chief of the Muslims, your forefathers established their rule over the people with the help of the sword and against their will, after killing hundreds of men. Having done all this, they departed from the world. I wish you could know what they themselves are saying after their death and what people are saying about them."
Fearing that Sulayman might be displeased by such straight talk, one of his courtiers rebuked Abu Hazim for having spoken so rudely. He replied: "No, you are wrong. I have not said anything rude but only what Allah has commanded us to say. For Allah has enjoined upon the 'ulama' to speak the truth before the people and not to conceal it." And he recited this verse of the Holy Qur'an: "You shall make it clear to the people and not conceal it." [Aal-i-'Imran: 3:187]
Sulayman then asked, "Alright how can we reform ourselves now?"
Abu Hazim: "Give up your pride, acquire a spirit of fellow-feeling for the people, and give them justly what is due to them."
"Well, is there anything you need? What can we do for you'?"
"Yes, I have a need. Please help me to save myself from Hell and to enter Paradise."
"This is not in my power."
"Then, there is nothing you can do for me."
Upon Sulayman's request Abu Hazim made this prayer for him: "O Allah, if you approve of Sulayman, make the well-being of this world and the next easily accessible to him; but if he is your enemy, drag him by the hair towards the deeds you approve of."
At the end of their meeting Sulayman asked him for some special advice. Abu Hazim said: "I shall make it short. You should have so much fear of your Lord and reverence for Him that He never finds you present at the place He has forbidden, and never finds you absent from the place where He has commanded you to be."
This is then how one follows the Book and the Prophets. Openly making the truth clear and not showing any fear in doing so. The Messenger (saw) said "Awe of someone should not prevent any of you from speaking the truth wherever he is". And in the Book we find: "They strive in the Way of Allah and do not fear the blame of any censurer (5:54).
Indeed Abu Dawud has narrated on the authority of Qays b. Abu Hazm: "Abu Bakr (ra), after he had glorified and praised Allah (SWT), said: O people! You read this ayah but you do not understand it: "O you who believe! Guard your own souls: If you follow the right guidance none can hurt you from those who have gone astray" [TMQ Al-Maida:105]
I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: "The people when they see the tyrant and do not restrain his hands, Allah will be about to punish them all". And I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: "Any people amongst whom sins are committed, and they could change them but they did not (change), Allah will be about to bring a punishment which engulfs all." [Abu Dawud: Book of Battles/3775].
Therefore Muslims must say to the leaders and politicians! Take heed of what has befallen you, fear Allah and leave your transgression and oppression. And be servants of Allah so that you may gain success. If you do not take heed then perish in your rage. And know that you and your Kufr system will be in the lowest depths of the hellfire. And your end will come at the hands of the Muslims in the immediate future. Insha'Allah.
And Muslims must say to the officers and people of responsibility in the army! Fear Allah and be His servants. Be a guard over the aqeedah, the source of your power and dignity. Do not be the agents of Shaytan but the army of Allah. Do not be a puppet in the hand of a handful of capitalists but defenders of the Ummah. When you fight, fight jihad in the path of Allah to raise the word of truth. Do not shed your blood in vain in the path of Shaytan. Know that if you go with Shaytan your fate will be one of utter loss in the Hereafter.
And Muslims must say to the Ulama and Imams! Fear Allah and do not hide the truth while you know the truth. Or else you deserve the curse of Allah, His Messenger and His angels. Be good Imams to the Ummah and let not your knowledge and establishment of the prayer be a means for earning a living. Do not sell the ayaat of Allah for a filthy price. Know that the torment of Jahannam is severe and that Power belongs to Allah and not to any country. Speak the truth and be firm. Do not clothe truth with falsehood. And do not utter what the state has written for you in terms of the khutbahs that are filled with Kufr and falsehood from the minbar on the day of Juma'a. Do not call to falsehood but work for the establishment of Islam, you will attain success in the Dunya and Akhira.
And Muslims must say to leaders of groups! Fear Allah! Be an example of taqwa and not disobedience. And instil in the hearts of people the vitality and courage of Iman, not cowardice or fear. Put an end to your obstinacy and do not slacken in applying what Allah has obliged on the Muslims. Work sincerely to establish the Khilafah State, to establish the sovereignty (Hakimiyya) of the deen of Allah and carry the Message of Islam as guidance to the world. Be among the believers and do not stand as an obstacle between your groups and those believers who are working to establish the rule of Allah on earth by establishing the Khilafah.
And Muslims must say to the writers and publishers! Fear Allah! Let your books be for the truth and do not mix the truth with the falsehood in your books. Do not publish or propagate what the Orientalists and the enemies of the Ummah carry in terms of poisons and diseases.
And Muslims must say to the wealthy people of the Ummah and landowners! Fear Allah and know that whatever you possess will run out and whatever Allah owns will last forever. Defend your deen more than you defend your property. Spend your money in the path of Allah and work, using your wealth, to establish the righteous Khilafah State in order to carry the guidance and light of Islam to the whole world.
And Muslims must remind themselves to have patience and trust in Allah and know that Allah is our Helper. And work until you deserve the glad tidings of Allah. And know that Allah does not break His promise. He (SWT) says: "The decision of the matter, before and after is only with Allah. And on that Day, the believers will rejoice. With the help of Allah, He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful" [TMQ Ar-Rum:4-5]
Source: KCom Journal
their doors, and every lover is alone with his beloved, and here I am alone with Thee."
[Rabia al-Adawiyya]
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