Meeting between Hazrat Umar RA and Hazrat Abu Darda RA

Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) sought permission from Hazrat Umar (RA) to go to Syria. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "He is not going to allow him unless he accepts governorship". He replied, "He does not want governorship". Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "In such a case, I shall not allow you to leave for Syria!". At this, Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, "Alright, I will go but on condition that I will only teach Sunnah and lead Salat to the people there". Hazrat Umar (RA) agreed. After sometime, Hazrat Umar (RA) went on a visit to Syria. On reaching the outskirts of Syria, he stayed out of the town until it was dark. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "O Yarfa'a! Take me to Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan (RA) and you will see that he is sitting on costly carpets in the light of a lamp surrounded by his gossiping courtiers. All these things belong to the booty of the Muslims. When you salute him, he will respond but will not allow you in unless he knows your identity". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) narrates, "We left and arrived at the door and said, "Assalamu Alaikum". He said, "Wa alaikum assalam". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) said, "May I come in?" He asked, "Who are you?" He said, "I am Yarfa'a, a man on whose arrival you will not feel happy. Look here! Ameerul Mu'mineen has arrived." Hazrat Umar (RA) asked me to stand at the gate and he himself hit his Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan (RA) with his lash between his ears. Thereafter, he rolled up all the articles, put the bundle in the middle of the room and asked the people around not to move till he came back.

Coming out, he said, "O Yarfa'a! take me to Umru bin Aas and then repeated the words uttered in connection with Yazid bin Abi Sufyan (RA). Accordingly we left for the place and reached the door of Umru bin Aas (RA). Then Hazrat Umar (RA) himself said "Assalamu Alaikum". Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "May I come in?" He asked, "Who are you?". Hazrat Yarfa'a (RA) said, "It is one whose arrival you are not supposed to enjoy. It is Ameerul Mu'mineen." Thus he opened the door and there they found the court gossipers, sitting in the light of a lamp upon costly carpets. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "O Yarfa'a, stand at the gate and do not allow anybody to run away. Then he hit Umru bin Aas with his lash between his ears, folded the articles and put the bundle in the middle of the house. He left the place asking people not to move until he came back.

After that Hazrat Umar (RA) said, "Take me to Abu Musa (RA) and we will see their court gossipers, lamp and woolen carpet belonging to the booty of the Muslims, and after that the same incident took place as it happened in the earlier two cases. While hitting him with his lash Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “You too, O Musa!” Abu Musa (RA) said, “This is nothing in comparison to what others are doing. By Allah, I have taken from the booty as much as others have taken.” When Hazrat Umar (RA) asked about the cushion, he replied, “Local people say Imarat does not look nice without all these articles.” Hazrat Umar (RA) then made a bundle of these articles and put it in the middle instructing that nobody should leave the place until I come back.

After that, Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Now take me to a brother of mine and you will find there neither courtiers, nor the lamp, nor the door bolted from within. He will sitting on small pebbles with his head reclining on a pillow stuffed with dry leaves. He will be covering his body with a thin blanket unable to protect him from the severe cold.” 

In short, we started and arrived at his door. Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Assalamu Alaikum” and he was responded, “Walaikum Assalamu”. Then Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “May I come in?” He was immediately permitted. They entered into the room by pushing the door open as it was not bolted from within. Since the room was dismal dark, Hazrat Umar (RA) had to search for him with his hands. He was found in the same state as Hazrat Umar (RA) had earlier described about him. Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “Who are you? Are you Ameerul Mu’mineen?” Hazrat Umar (RA) replied in the affirmative. He said, “I remember we are meeting after nearly one year.” Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “May Allah take care of you. Did I not give you enough scope to earn necessary comforts for yourself? Had I not done so?” Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “O Umar! Do you remember that Hadith in which the Holy Prophet had said.” Hazrat Umar (RA) said, “Which Hadith are you referring to?” Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said,

“All of you should have that much belongings with you for passing your life as a riding traveller does.”
Hazrat Umar (RA) replied, “Yes, I remember very well.”
At this Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) said, “O Umar! What have we done after the departure of the Holy Prophet "
The narrator states, “After that they jointly wept till morning."
_____________________
Source
English Hayatus Sahaba Vol 2 - under "Restrictions on Amirs against their high living and practice of avoiding aggrieved persons", pg 94-96

The Qurbani of Maulana Yusuf RA

Once when Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] was very young, he reared a goat in his house and that goat was such that...every member of his family absolutely loved it, it even used to sit on the cot and not on the ground and it was so much loved that everyone in the family wanted to have a part of their food set aside from their own to feed the animal - such was the love everybody in the household had for the animal. A part of every fruit, bread, sweets etc, that was in the house had to have a part of it set aside for the goat, and because of this, it was even wonderfully healthy, even Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] used to love it a lot.
Then the day of Qurbani arrived and members in his household asked him to get a sacrificial animal, to which Hazrathji replied: “The sacrificial animal is in the house itself!! What’s the need of buying any other animal?!”.

The family members were shocked and replied: “No! Its like our son! We are not going to sacrifice him!”.

Hazrathji Yusuf replied: Prophet Ibrahim [peace be upon him] too reared his own son, not any others and then... sacrificed him, it was his OWN son!

The WHOLE household of Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] was crying profusely when the goat was being sacrificed, seeing which Hazratji said  “ Now, THIS is REAL sacrifice!!”.
And then when its meat came into the house, nobody wanted to believe that the goat had been sacrificed, yes. Hazrathji Maulana Yusuf [rahmatullah alayh] later said: “When we cooked its meat and sat down to eat, we were all crying thinking that this was the same goat that we so lovingly reared all these years...used to feed it, nurture it for all these years”.

Forgiving

This is a story about a teacher who told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. The teacher suggested to her pupils that for every person they had refused to forgive in their life's experience, they were to take a potato, and write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag.

The teacher then told each of her students to carry this bag with them on their shoulders and on their backs everywhere they went for one week keeping the bag next to them at all times even beside their beds at night and by their desk throughout the school day, basically 24-hours a day.
Some of her students complained that the plastic bags were too heavy to lug around. The hassle of physically lugging these heavy plastic bags around with them made it clear to the students what their teacher was trying to convey to them about the value of friendship and forgiveness.

The students realized what a weight they were carrying spiritually. This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity. Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, but it clearly is for ourselves.

Remember what Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) teaches us in Surah Al-A'raf [7:199-200]: "Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (i.e. don't punish them). If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things)."


Forgiveness is something we "give other people", but forgiveness, really, is a gift to ourselves. When we wreak vengeance on people whom we think have done us an injustice, we invariably end up bitter and resentful.

The man who didn't disobey Allah again

A man came to Ibrahim ibn Adham , may Allah be pleased with him, and said, “Abu Ishaq, I am unable to control myself. Please give me something to help me with it”

“If you accept five conditions,” said Ibrahim, “and are able to put them into practice, your disobedience will not cause you any problem.”

“Just tell me what they are, Abu Ishaq!” the man said. “The first is that when you want to disobey Allah you do not eat anything He provides.” “Then how will I get anything to eat? Everything on the earth is from Him!” “So is it right to eat His provision and disobey Him at the same time?” replied Ibrahim.

“No, it is not. What is the second condition?” “When you want to disobey him, move off His land.”

“That is even more difficult! Exclaimed the man. “In that case where will I live?”

“Is it right to eat his provision and live on His land and then to disobey Him?” asked Ibrahim. “No, it is not.”

“What is the third condition?” “When you want to disobey Him in spite of eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him there.”

“What do you mean, Ibrahim? He knows everything that happens even in the most hidden places!” “So is it right to disobey Him when you eat His provision and live on His land and when you know that He can see everything you do?” “It certainly is not!” the man replied.

“Tell me the fourth condition.” “That when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, ‘Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.’”

“But he won’t listen to me!” “Then if you cannot ward off death long enough to give yourself time to repent, and you know that when it comes there will be no reprieve, how can you hope to be saved?”

“What is the fifth?” “That when the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you do not go with them.” “They will take me whether I like it or not!” exclaimed the man.

“So how can you hope to be saved?”
“Enough, enough, Ibrahim! I ask Allah’s forgiveness and I turn to Him!”

The man’s repentance was sincere and from that time on he was assiduous in his worship and avoided acts of disobedience until the day he died.

The two wolves

This is a story about an old man who explained to his young grandson one evening after prayers, about a battle that was going on inside himself. The grandfather said, "My child, the battle inside me is between two wolves, one of whom is so evil, full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, hypocrisy, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. 

The other is so good, full of rememberance of Allah, faith, taqwaa, joy, peace, love, compassion, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, and truthfulness." 

The grandson pondered for a minute and then asked: "Grandfather, which wolf will win the battle?"
The grandfather replied simply, "The one I feed"

The Wrestler

Junaid Baghdadi RA earned his livelihood as a professional wrestler. As was the norm, the Leader of Baghdad announced one day, "Today, Junaid Baghdadi will demonstrate his skills as a wrestler. Is there anyone to challenge him?" An elderly man shakily stood up with his neck quivering and said, "I will enter the contest with him."

Whoever was witness to this scene could not contain themselves, they burst out howling with laughter, clapping their hands. The King was bound by the law. He could not stop someone who of his own free will entered the bout. The elderly man was given the permission to enter the ring. He was about sixty-five years old. When Junaid Baghdadi entered the ring, he was dumbfounded as was the King and all the spectators of the Kingdom who were present. The single thought that occupied their minds was, "How will this old man be able to fight?"

The old man addressed Junaid with these words, "Lend me your ears." He then whispered, "I know it is not possible for me to win this bout against you, but I am a Sayyid, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). My children are starving at home. Are you prepared to sacrifice your name, your honour and position for the love of Allah's Prophet and lose this bout to me? If you do this I will be able to collect the prize money and thereby have the means to feed my children and myself for an entire year. I will be able to settle all my debts and above all, the master of both the worlds will be pleased with you. Are you, Oh Junaid, not willing to sacrifice your honour for the sake of the children of Rasulullah (peace be upon him)?"

Junaid Baghdadi thought to himself, "Today, I have an excellent opportunity."

In a display of fervour Junaid Baghdadi executed a couple of maneuvers, demonstrating his finesse so that the King does not suspect any conspiracy. Junaid with a great display of antics did not use his strength and allowed himself to be dropped. The elderly man mounted his chest thus entitling him to the prize.
That night, Junaid Baghdadi had a dream of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said, "Oh Junaid, you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in the expression of your love for my children who were starving. As of today, your name is recorded in the register of the Awliya (friends of Allah)."

Thereafter, this great wrestler learnt to defeat his nafs (innerself/desires) and became one of the most eminent Awliya of his time!

From the book "Tajalliyaat-e-Jazb" by Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb.

Pick up the rocks

Once, a group of people were travelling on rocks at night. A voice came from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and whosoever doesn’t pick up the rocks will regret. Now, the people were confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you will regret! Anyway, some people picked up the rocks and some didn’t. In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into diamonds.


Now, those people who didn’t pick up the rocks started regretting saying, “If only we had picked up some rocks.” Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying “Why didn’t we pick up more rocks?” Both sides ended up regretting. This same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgement. Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah. Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status. “Alas! If we had only done more to please Allah."

Feeding the Horse

Suppose you use a horse for transportation as people have done in the past. One of your friends invites you to his house and you get there by riding your horse. Now, what would happen if your friend totally ignores you and starts feeding and looking after the horse only? You will feel confused as yourself, the rider, was suppose to be the guest, not the horse that you rode on.

The above situation sounds abnormal but that is exactly what we are doing today. Allah has given us a body and a soul. The soul rides on the body to pass through this world. In other words, the body is like the horse and the soul is like the rider of the horse.

Today, we are continuously busy in feeding and looking after the body but totally ignored the well being of our souls. As a result, our souls have become so weak without the spiritual food that it is not strong enough to even push us to go to the Masjid or wake up for Fajr prayer. Thus, it is essential that we strengthen our soul with the spiritual food as shown by Islam, such as keeping the company of the pious, recitation of the Holy Quran, Rememberance of Allah and contemplating over the Greatness of Allah.

Feeding the Horse

Suppose you use a horse for transportation as people have done in the past. One of your friends invites you to his house and you get there by riding your horse. Now, what would happen if your friend totally ignores you and starts feeding and looking after the horse only? You will feel confused as yourself, the rider, was suppose to be the guest, not the horse that you rode on.

The above situation sounds abnormal but that is exactly what we are doing today. Allah has given us a body and a soul. The soul rides on the body to pass through this world. In other words, the body is like the horse and the soul is like the rider of the horse.

Today, we are continuously busy in feeding and looking after the body but totally ignored the well being of our souls. As a result, our souls have become so weak without the spiritual food that it is not strong enough to even push us to go to the Masjid or wake up for Fajr prayer. Thus, it is essential that we strengthen our soul with the spiritual food as shown by Islam, such as keeping the company of the pious, recitation of the Holy Quran, Rememberance of Allah and contemplating over the Greatness of Allah.

Silence

Asalamualikum,

Ramadan is getting near InshAllah & so its time to prepare for it. 

1) Talk less

Hazrat Shaikh Fareeduddin Attaar (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) explained most beautifully, perfectly and comprehensively the benefits of maintaining silence:

"In my mind does not enter any topic nobler than silence. Silence contains so many benefits that they cannot be explained. Silence makes hearts the treasure houses of pearls of wisdom. I learnt this hidden secret from the oyster's shell."

The drop of water enclosed in the oyster's shell is transformed into a pearl. Similarly, man's heart becomes a treasure house for pearls of wisdom by means of closure of the lips.

Shaykh Ul Hind

During his his famous speech at Bahawalpur in 1983, Maulana Zia-ar-Rahman Farooqi رحمه الله narrated the following story concerning Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hind Maulana Mahmud al-Hasan رحمه الله :

Shaykh al-Hind Maulana Mahmud al-Hasan رحمه الله passed away in the year 1921 C.E. The body was lifted from the residence of Hakeem Ajmal Khan who was a well known Hakeem and a disciple of Shaykh al-Hind Maulana Mahmud al-Hasan رحمه الله . It was brought from Delhi to Deoband and when the cloth was removed from the waist for washing, it appeared that there was not felsh nor fat on it. The people began crying. When Sayyad Husain Ahmad Madni رحمه الله , who taught Hadeeth at Darul ‘Uloom Culcutta at the time came, the people related the matter to him. He wept and said, ”Shaykh al-Hind had prevented me from revealing this matter. In the jail of Malta, the British used to take my master to a lonely room and apply a red-hot to his waist and say, Mahmud al-Hasan! Deliver a fatwa in favour of the British. ” When he regained his senses he would say, ”O British! I am Bilal’s heir , my skin may melt away but I shall never deliver a fatwaa in favour of the british. ”

Repentance

Malik bin Dinar RA narrated the following story about himself, saying, “I was a man who indulged in fun and enjoyment and suffered from an overwhelmingly addiction to wine. I bought a slave girl with whom I was very happy. She later gave birth to a beautiful girl who I loved dearly. I saw her progress from crawling to walking. Whenever I sat down for a drink, she would come and take the cup from my hands and spill the wine on the ground.

At the tender age of two years she died and left me grieving. It was the night of the fifteenth of Sha’ban and I fell asleep drunk. I saw in my dream that it was the Day of Resurrection and I came out of my grave with a huge sea serpent after me. I began to run but it chased me. The faster I ran, the faster it came. I passed by an old man dressed in clean garments who was very weak. I called out to him “O Sheikh, please save me from this monster!” He replied, “O my son, I am a very old man and this monster is too powerful for me, I cannot prevail from it. Perhaps if you carry on someone else may be able to help you.”

I continued to run, with the serpent still following me. I passed by a pit of blazing fire and was about to fall into it, but someone said, ”You are not its inhabitant,” On hearing this I turned and ran towards the mountain, I found that there were many gates to it and each gate had guards. A voice called out, ”Let this wretched man in before his enemy captures him.”

The gates opened and I saw a group of children, their faces shone like the moon, and among them was my little girl! She came towards me like a beam of light and with her right hand hit the serpant, which then fled. She sat by me and said, ”O my father, has not the time arrived for the heart of those who believe to submit to Allah’s reminder (Dhikr) and the truth (Quran) which has been revealed?” I replied, “O my child, do you know the Qur’an?” She answered, ”I lernt it from you.” I then asked, ”O my daughter, What are you doing here?” She said we are Muslim children who have died and we will live here untill the Day of Resurretion and wait for our parents.”

At this I said , ” O my daughter, who was that monster chasing and trying to kill me?” She said, ”O my father, that was your bad deeds, which you accumulated and could have destroyed you.” I then asked, ”And who was that weak old man?” She said, ”He was your good deeds, which you weakened to such an extent that they had no power to defend you. Therefore, O my father, repent and turn towards Allah, and be not among those who will perish,” Suddenly I woke up. I repented for my sins and turned to Allah.

The lesson we learn from this tory is that when young children die in infancy and their parents show patience and control of their emotions, it becomes a means of their salvation in the Hereafter. Allah Most High has taught us, when He tries us with an afflicton, to say: All praise is due to Allah. Truly, we are Allah’s and truly unto Him is the return.