Sayyiduna Anas bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was once seated with another Sahaabi in the presence of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “A servant is not a true believer until he loves for his Muslim brother what he loves for himself.”
Thereafter, Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), along with that very Sahaabi, proceeded to the market where an item that they wished to purchase was being sold. When Sayyiduna Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) began the negotiation and asked the seller how much he wanted for the item, he replied that he wanted thirty dirhams. However, the Sahaabi who was with him looked at the item and said, “I will take it for forty.”
The seller (was surprised and) asked, “What makes you do this, whereas I am giving it to you for less?” The Sahaabi looked at the item again and said, “I will take it for fifty.” When the seller again enquired, “What makes you do this, whereas I am giving it to you for less?” the Sahaabi replied, “I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, ‘A servant is not a true believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.’ And I feel that it (i.e. this item) is worth fifty.”. (Musnad Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #342)
A similar incident is recorded regarding another great Sahaabi, Sayyiduna Jareer bin ‘Abdillah Bajali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
On one occasion, Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went to purchase an animal along with his slave. When he got there, he stood at one end of the market where the animals were passing by. A horse passed by which he liked, so he instructed his slave to go and purchase that horse. His slave went and offered the owner three hundred dirhams (silver coins). However, the owner refused to sell it at that price. He thus began negotiating but the owner did not budge. The slave thus suggested, “Do you want to go to our companion (my master) who is on one side of the market?” The owner agreed and they came to Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
The slave explained to Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) what had transpired saying, “I offered him three hundred dirhams for his horse but he refused, and he says it is valued more than that.” The owner of the horse remarked, “He is correct, may Allah keep you well. Do you feel that (the amount he offered) is a suitable price?” Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “No, your horse is valued higher than that. Will you sell it (to me) for five hundred.” (Since the seller did not accept,) Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) continued raising the price until it reached seven hundred or eight hundred dirhams.
When the man left, Sayyiduna Jareer (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) turned to his slave and expressed his disapproval. He further remarked, explaining the reason for his actions, “Certainly I have pledged allegiance to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to be well-wishing towards every Muslim.” (Al-Mu’jamul Kabeer – Tabraani #2395)
Lessons:
1. “Wishing well for every Muslim” and “loving for a Muslim brother what one loves for himself” are from the core values and teachings of our beautiful Deen, without which a person’s imaan remains incomplete. These qualities become even more significant nowadays, when people have unfortunately become so self-centred that they do not even wish well for their own family members and blood brothers.
2. The abovementioned incidents exemplify the Sahaabah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) unwavering obedience to the teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), even when conducting their business. Without hesitation or questioning, they put the advice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) into practice, although it resulted in them suffering financial loss, since they understood that the teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) were far more valuable than some material gain. This is a very important quality that every believer should strive to achieve.
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