BARKA DA SALLAH 1439 (II)

When they arrived their destination, the thief came up to the Imam and asked him what happened to that money? Where did he hide them that the search party couldn’t get them? The Imam said, “When I heard that announcement, I realised you are a thief and yo

As we are still in the Sallah Mode, we today revisit some inspirational tales from our Islamic Past; tales that have made impact on many a mind. Many of them may not be true; but it doesn’t matter - the lessons therein are. You may have read them times without number; it doesn’t matter to read them again. Enjoy, and Barka da Sallah.

For us Muslims, our greatest book is the Qur’an, Allah’s own Words. The ‘second in command’ are the words, deeds and affirmations of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (upon whom be peace). There are many collections of these Prophetic Sayings, known as Hadith, but none greater than Sahih Bukhari. This is the story that confirms how Imam Bukhari strove to protect his integrity.

It was narrated that Imam Bukhari was on a commercial voyage and had 10,000 gold coins on him. While on board the ship, the Imam met a co-traveller who, unknown to the Imam, was also a thief. The two got talking and the other man got to know Imam Bukhari had 10,000 gold coins on him.

The thief, in order to stealthily steal the Imam’s money, went to the captain of the ship and reported that his 10,000 gold coins had been stolen, and wanted the captain to order a thorough search. The captain obliged him and announced that a man’s 10,000 gold coins had been stolen and he was ordering a search on everyone on board.

On hearing this, Imam Bukhari realised this man was trying to rob him of his money by humiliating him through such a dubious way. Before the search came to his turn, Imam then wrapped the whole gold coins and threw them into the sea. The search was done and nothing was found. The thief was surprised as he knew Imam Bukhari had those gold coins; but how come they weren’t found?

When they arrived their destination, the thief came up to the Imam and asked him what happened to that money? Where did he hide them that the search party couldn’t get them?

The Imam said, “When I heard that announcement, I realised you are a thief and you were trying to steal my money. So I wrapped them all and threw them into the sea.

The thief screamed, “What! You threw all that money into the sea? Why?”

The Imam said, “I spent my whole life gathering the authentic Hadiths of the Prophet, and I fear my reputation might be tarnished if you had succeeded. Had those coins been found on me, people might at least be confused and then that could lead into doubts about my life’s work. Because of that I threw the whole money overboard to protect my reputation.”

May the blessings of Allah be with Imam Bukhari.

INTEGRITY is what is missing among our crop of leaders. People of integrity are so few and far in between. May we be sensible enough to seek and entrust people of integrity as our leaders. During the reign of the Second Caliph of the early Islamic State, Umar Ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the government designed a Social Security Directory of all citizens. An epistle was sent to all districts, including to the City of Hims (in Syria), asking them to list the names of their needy so they could be listed and assisted with social welfare.

What Caliph Umar came across in Him’s list shocked and amazed him for, in the midst of the names of the poor and impoverished, was the name of the Governor, Sa’eed Ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him). Umar asked why the name of the Governor was included in the list of the needy. Hims’ people replied: “He shares his salary with the poor and needy, such that by the time the cycle completes, he is left with nothing”.

Then Umar asked further: “Does he do things that you don’t want?” They said: “Yes.

He doesn’t come to attend to us until mid-morning; he doesn’t see us at night; and in a week, he keeps away for a whole day without anyone seeing him.”

Umar then asked the Governor why that was so? Sa’eed Ibn Amir said: “The reason why I don’t come out until mid-morning is that my wife has been sick and I don’t have any helper at home, so I usually stay back to complete the basic domestic chores, thereafter I come out. The reason I don’t see anyone at night is because I have set aside the whole day for the people to respond to their needs, and I have set aside the night to relate with my Lord. And the reason why I set aside a day in a week not to see anyone is because that is the day I take off my garment to wash and wait for it to dry, because I have no other clothes aside this.”

Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) burst into tears.

LEADERSHIP by example is lacking among our crop of leaders. Very few among our leaders, from top to bottom, could confidently affirm by God that they live within their rightful earnings. May we be wise enough to seek and install such leaders.

ON LEAVING ONE DOOR OPEN TO GOD: This is a story retold by Imam Murtada Muhammad Gusau, from Okene, Kogi State, in one of his sermons about one of the pious predecessors Suhail ibn Amr.

Suhail was one day travelling with his family when they were accosted by highway robbers. The criminals divested Suhail’s family of all their provisions. After robbing them, the robbers sat down and started eating the robbed food right in front of the rightful owners.

But Suhail noticed that the Chief of the Robbers was not eating, so he asked him, “Why are you not eating?” The Chief Robber replied, “I am fasting.” That reply stunned Suhail, who then asked Chief Robber, “So you are a highway robber and you are fasting today? Wonder of wonders!”

The reply of the Chief Robber was even more amazing, “I have left one door open between me and my Lord, hoping that one day I will see need for it.” He later released Suhail and his family.

A year or two came to pass after this incident. One day, Suhail was on pilgrimage in Makkah and he was circumambulating the Ka’aba. After every circle, he would notice a certain individual immersed in intense worship, holding so tight to the Ka’aba Cloak it seemed he wouldn’t ever let go.

The individual looked vaguely familiar so Suhail moved a little closer. Lo and behold! It was Chief Robber! He looked so repentant, remorseful and forgivenessseeking. Suhail now understood that answer of two years earlier - leaving one door ajar between servant and God. Suhail did not move further, lest he embarrass the man. May Allah forgive us… THIEVES, Chief Robbers and other scoundrels abound everywhere. May they return our loot and seek the Good Lord for forgiveness through that small door of Chief Robber.

Bleak future awaits children haunted by conflicts LEADERSHIP by example is lacking among our crop of leaders. Very few among our leaders, from top to bottom, could confidently affirm by God that they live within their rightful earnings. May we be wise enough to seek and install such leaders