(Abu Muslim Al-Khawlaani Whenever Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) would leave the musjid and return home, then on arriving at the entrance of his yard, he would call out the takbeer (Allahu Akbar). Hearing his takbeer, his wife would reply by also calling out the takbeer. After entering the courtyard of the home, Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) would again call out takbeer and his wife would similarly respond. Finally, when he would arrive at the door of his home, he would call out the takbeer and his wife would similarly respond with takbeer. Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) would thereafter enter the home after which his wife would take his sandals and shawl and bring him his food. One day, when Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) arrived at the entrance of his yard, he called out the takbeer, as normal, but was surprised when he received no response. He next entered the courtyard and called out the takbeer, but again received no reply. Finally, when entering the home, he called out the takbeer, and again received no reply. On entering, he found that the lamp had not been lit, and saw his wife seated with her head lowered, scratching at the ground with a stick. Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) was perplexed at her behaviour and asked her, “What is the matter?” She replied, “You have a good relationship with the leader, Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). We do not have a servant. Why do you not ask him to provide us with a servant and give us some wealth as well?” When he heard this, Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) became upset and understood that someone had influenced and corrupted his wife. He thus exclaimed, “O Allah! Blind the one who corrupted my wife!” Coincidentally, a woman had come to visit his wife earlier and had said to her, “Your husband has a good relationship with Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Why do you not tell him to ask Mu‘aawiyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to give him a servant and some wealth so that you can live in comfort?” When Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) made the du‘aa, while that woman was seated in her home, she was surprised to find that she could not see and all was dark! She asked her household, “What happened to the lamp? Is it extinguished?” When they replied that the lamp was still burning, she instantly realized her error. She thus went to Abu Muslim (rahimahullah), crying, and begged him to make du‘aa for her vision to be restored. Abu Muslim (rahimahullah) immediately felt pity for her and made du‘aa for her, due to which Allah Ta‘ala restored her sight. (Sifatus Safwah vol. 2, pg. 371) Lessons: 1. Very often, a family may not be living the most luxurious lifestyle, yet they are comfortable and content with their lot in life. Thereafter, there is external influence and interference, in the form of friends, magazines, novels, movies and the like, and these change a person’s mindset, causing him to feel that he is deprived and missing out. Yesterday, he was perfectly content, yet today, he is unhappy. His circumstances and condition did not change or deteriorate – all that changed was his mindset. The glamorous lifestyle depicted in movies and novels, the first-hand accounts of five-star holidays enjoyed abroad, heard from the mouths of close friends and relatives, all have the potential of corrupting a person’s values, making him feel that unless he is ‘living the life’, he is a failure. Hence, it is of paramount importance that we totally avoid the wrong influences – influences that will corrupt our Deeni values, and keep the correct company, either in person or through the kitaabs and lectures of the pious, as this will aid us in maintaining our Islamic values. 2. Hurting, offending or causing inconvenience, in any way, to the pious friends of Allah Ta‘ala, is extremely detrimental for one’s Deen and dunya. If a pious person has been hurt or his gheebat (backbiting) was made, he should immediately be asked for maaf. If this is not done, severe repercussions may follow.
‘Blinding’ Influence
[rahimahullah] #4)
