{"id":21838,"date":"2025-09-30T08:38:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T06:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alhaadi.org.za\/?p=21838"},"modified":"2025-10-23T08:42:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T06:42:15","slug":"the-ascetic-of-this-ummah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alhaadi.org.za\/?p=21838","title":{"rendered":"The Ascetic of this Ummah"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Sayyiduna Abu Zarr [radhiyallahu \u2018anhu] \u2013 Part Three)<\/em><\/p>\n

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam) mentioned, \u201cIn my Ummah, Abu Zarr possesses the zuhd (asceticism) of \u2018Eesa (\u2018alaihis salaam).\u201d According to another narration, he (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam) said, \u201cWhosoever wishes to see the ascetism of \u2018Eesa (\u2018alaihis salaam) should look at Abu Zarr.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every aspect of the life of Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) bore testimony to this statement of Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam). On one occasion Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) explained that during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam), his food consisted of just one saa\u2019 (a unit of measurement) of dates. He added, \u201cI will not increase (that amount) until I meet Allah Ta\u2018ala.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Ataa bin Abi Marwaan (rahimahullah) once saw Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) performing salaah in a single striped cloth. He asked, \u201cO Abu Zarr, do you not have any other clothes besides this?\u201d Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) replied, \u201cIf I had (any other clothes), you would have seen me wearing it.\u201d \u2018Ataa (rahimahullah) then said, \u201cIndeed I had seen two pieces of cloth on you for a few days.\u201d Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) replied, \u201cO my nephew, I had given it to someone more in need than me.\u201d Abu Marwaan (rahimahullah) remarked, \u201cBy Allah, you yourself were in need of both pieces!\u201d Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) responded, \u201cO Allah, forgive (us). You are giving importance to this world! Do you not see this shawl upon me? Along with it, I have another shawl for the masjid. I also have goats which I milk, and a few donkeys upon which I carry my provisions. (Moreover,) we have people who serve us and prepare our food. What bounty could be greater than what we (already) enjoy?\u201d<\/p>\n

On another occasion, a man came to offer something to Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu), but he refused. He then enumerated the blessings Allah Ta\u2018ala had already given him and said, \u201cI fear that I will be held accountable for excess possessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

A man who used to perform salaah with Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) in Baytul Maqdis related that his shawl was worth more than all the other possessions in his home combined. Maimoon bin Mihraan (rahimahullah) added that all the possessions in the house of Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) were worth less than two silver coins.<\/p>\n

Once, someone suggested to him, \u201cWhy do you not acquire a property (land\/estate) as so-and-so has done?\u201d He replied, \u201cWhat would I do with being a master? Indeed, what suffices me each day is a drink of water or milk, and for the week a qafeez (a unit of measure) of wheat.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is also reported that once his wife reproached him about their (extremely simple) lifestyle. He responded, \u201cO Ummu Zarr, ahead of us lies a steep and difficult ascent, and the one who is light (of worldly burden) will find it easier to cross than the one who is heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam) asked the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu \u2018anhum), \u201cWhich one of you will meet me (on the day of Qiyaamah) in the same condition in which I left him?\u201d Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) replied that he would be the one. Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam) affirmed his statement saying, \u201cYou have spoken the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nephew of Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) was once asked, \u201cWhat (possessions) did Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) leave behind (after his demise). He replied, \u201cHe left behind two female donkeys, a male donkey, some goats and a few riding animals.<\/p>\n

(Tabaqaat Ibni Sa\u2019d vol. 4, pg. 228, 230, 231 & 235, Al-Istee\u2018aab vol. 1, pg. 323, Usdul Ghaabah vol. 4, pg. 437 and <\/em>Az-Zuhd lil Imaam Ahmad #800 & 802<\/em>)<\/em><\/p>\n

Lessons:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The purpose of a comparison is to highlight and distinguish the qualities of a person or thing. The value and weight of any comparison depend on what or whom is being used as the standard. What could be greater than being likened to a prophet of Allah Ta\u2018ala? Likewise, the credibility of a comparison depends on the one making it \u2014 and who could be more credible and truthful than Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam)? Sayyiduna Abu Zarr\u2019s (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) disinterest in the world was of such a high level that he was likened to Nabi \u2018Eesa (\u2018alaihis salaam) in this aspect by none other than Rasulullah (sallallahu \u2018alaihi wasallam).<\/p>\n

2. When one reflects on the fleeting nature of this world and the everlasting Hereafter, he realises that the temporary luxuries and comforts of this life are insignificant compared to the eternal bliss of the Hereafter. When a person has firm conviction of the Hereafter in his heart, he will, in all the decisions of his life, choose to forgo the temporary pleasures of this world and aspire solely for the everlasting pleasures of the Hereafter. Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radhiyallahu \u2018anhu) possessed such a desire and conviction for the Hereafter that he attached little to no importance to the comforts of this world, making the Aakhirah the ultimate goal of his life. Hence, it is vital for us, especially in today\u2019s era of materialism and secularism, to keep the Aakhirah constantly before our eyes. When the nature of this temporary world and the reality of the everlasting Hereafter settle firmly in our hearts, it becomes easier for us to worship Allah Ta\u2018ala and live our lives in His obedience.<\/p>\n

>>>Download Musjid Poster\u00a0Page 1<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Page 2<\/a><<<<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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